The Reds have announced that their head coach, Brad Thorn, will leave the Brisbane-based outfit at the end of the 2023 season after a six-year stint in his position.
Thorn took over the Reds’ coaching reins at the end of the 2017 season after leading Queensland Country to a National Rugby Championship title in Australia earlier that year.
Revitalised the Reds
The former All Blacks lock inherited a youthful Reds side and revitalised the squad after several poor performances, guiding the team to a Super Rugby AU title in 2021.
They have struggled during the past 18 months, however, and narrowly qualified for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific play-offs after a slump during the latter part of the league phase of the competition.
The Reds have won just three out of eight matches so far in 2023, which has led to the decision to move on from Thorn at the end of the year.
“On behalf of the QRU I would like to congratulate and also thank Brad for a great job leading the Queensland Reds over the past six seasons,” said Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) chief executive David Hanhamin in a statement.
“Upon his appointment as head coach in 2018, he had to make some tough decisions – unpopular decisions, but they were for the betterment of the whole organisation.
“Built on care, humility and hard work, he changed the culture at Ballymore, which then translated onto the field with three successive Super Rugby finals appearances and a title in 2021.
“Brad will continue to coach the Reds until the end of their current Super Rugby Pacific campaign. His fellow coaching staff and playing group are all equally committed with the goal of playing finals for a fourth-straight year.
“We will conduct a thorough process to appoint a new head coach for next season, which will be communicated at the appropriate time.”
Longest serving Reds coach
Thorn will finish his tenure as the longest-serving Reds head coach in Super Rugby history, and the 48-year-old thanked the Reds for their support.
“It’s been an honour to coach Queensland,” said Thorn.
“As a Christian, I want to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for his strength and for the purpose he’s given me in being here over the past six years.
“I’d like to thank my family for their support and I’m looking forward to spending more time with them at season’s end.
“I’ve also been lucky to have a great group of staff who have had my back along every step of the way, and I thank them – they’re friends for life.
“The past six seasons have been equally enjoyable as they’ve been challenging, but I’m fortunate for the opportunity and hope I when I do leave here, the program and culture is in better shape to when I started the job in 2018.
“To be a part of a young footballer’s development is something special. It’s been great to see so many earn the opportunity to wear the maroon jersey for the first time, and then go on and play for their country.
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“The job’s not finished. We’ve got six games left and then finals – and we’ve got a plan to get there.”
Reds general manager of rugby Sam Cordingley also thanked Thorn for his services.
“Queensland Rugby has a lot to thank Brad for. He has been a big part of our successes on-and-off the field during his tenure,” he said.
“Brad has always had the best interest of Queensland Rugby and the club at heart.
“He speaks often about reward for effort and whilst recent results haven’t reflected the effort that has gone in, he certainly leaves the club in a better place for his time here.”