Home / Sports / Outgoing Newcastle Knights Boss Seeks Assistant Coaching Role
Outgoing Newcastle Knights Boss Seeks Assistant Coaching Role
28 Aug
Summary
- Outgoing Newcastle Knights coach Adam O'Brien won't seek another head coaching job
- O'Brien initiated the process to step aside despite having 2 years left on his contract
- O'Brien cited the Warriors game loss as a trigger for his decision to step aside
On August 28th, 2025, it was announced that Adam O'Brien, the outgoing head coach of the Newcastle Knights, will not be seeking another top coaching job in the foreseeable future. Instead, O'Brien has indicated that he will be looking for assistant coaching roles, suggesting a change of pace could be in order.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the announcement, O'Brien was reflective about his time with the Knights and candid about his future plans. He acknowledged that the constant speculation about his position was having a negative impact on the team's on-field performances, and that he, not the club, initiated the process to step aside despite having two years left on his contract.
O'Brien pointed to the heartbreaking golden point home loss to the Warriors in Round 20 as a specific trigger for his decision. He said that after that game, which "took a lot of gas out of the players," the team had not been the same, and he felt he was becoming a "big distraction." As such, he believes stepping aside is the "right thing to do" to give the playing group and the supporters the "confidence" and "positivity" they need.
O'Brien will continue coaching the Knights for the final two games of the 2025 season before handing over the reins to his successor, who is yet to be determined.
