Brisbane Broncos coach Kevin Walters has announced he is stepping down from the role less than 12 months after taking the club to the NRL grand final.
Walters, one of Brisbane's greatest players, coached the Broncos for four years but after taking the team to the cusp of a premiership in 2023 they failed to make the finals this season.
The Broncos and Walters parted ways after an end-of-season review.
“Aside from playing here, it’s been the greatest thrill and honour of my life to have coached the Broncos," Walters said in a statement.
“Coaching in the NRL takes a toll, not just on the coach but also their family - it’s time for me to step away and spend some quality time with my loved ones, who have supported me all the way over the last four years.
“I’m grateful to the club for providing me with the opportunity to be head coach and we have come a long way from the wooden spoon to last year’s run to the grand final. I wish the team and the club all the best.”
Walters, a five-time premiership winner with the Broncos and former captain who played 241 premiership games for the club, took over as head coach at the end of 2020.
He coached 99 NRL games - making him the third longest-serving coach of the club.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to Kevin, for the enormous role he’s played as head coach over the past four years," Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said.
“Kevin put his heart and soul into the club during his time as coach.
"He is one of the most passionate people you will ever meet when it comes to the Broncos and that helped lift us out of a really difficult time.
“While we will miss Kev and his infectious personality on a daily basis, we certainly don’t want one of the Broncos favourite sons not to stay involved with our great club.”
