Why old boy must coach resurgent Knights; reality of cut-price DCE deal

Why old boy must coach resurgent Knights; reality of cut-price DCE deal — McKinnon…

Adam O’Brien’s time at the Knights is set to come to an end after this weekend – and now he doesn’t get to realise the fruits of his own labour.

O’Brien’s out, but this player might be the biggest Knights loss….

The Newcastle Knights and head coach Adam O’Brien mutually agree he will leave at the end of the 2025 season. O’Brien says he feels criticism of his 2025 record has become a “distraction” for the playing….

Six years he has been at the helm, and in that time Knights powerbrokers have set the club up for future success, with the help of the Wests Group as lucrative sponsors.

They’re in a position to unveil a huge boarding house to facilitate talent joining the club in the youth ranks from all around Australia, and the facility is incredible.

All of this is to say the Newcastle club has enjoyed a wholesale overhaul between now and the year O’Brien arrived – but the new coach will reap the benefits.

The Knights are an attractive prospect for potential coaching candidates, and a solid squad is only one factor to be considered for the reasons listed above.

Marquee star Kalyn Ponga will be joined by Dylan Brown ahead of the 2026 season, then throw in the mix guns like Dylan Lucas, Dane Gagai, Bradman Best and Tyson Frizell.