Dan McKellar will wind up a successful five-year stint as Brumbies head coach at the end of the 2022 Super Rugby season.
McKellar took the reins as head coach in 2018, quickly establishing the Brumbies as one of the country’s top Rugby programs.
He led the Brumbies to the Super Rugby Semi-Final in 2019, and back-to-back Super Rugby AU Grand-Finals in the last two seasons, famously taking out the 2020 title in front of a home crowd at GIO Stadium.
The 45-year-old initially joined the Brumbies in 2014, having grown his reputation in the ACT rugby community with the Tuggeranong Vikings.
McKellar is currently seconded to the Wallabies, taking on the role of Assistant Coach – forwards, and is set to stay on through to until the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
McKellar said it was a difficult decision that ultimately felt right.
“The Brumbies gave me a chance in 2014 and have shown tremendous faith in me over these last four years as head coach,” he said.
“I will obviously say my goodbyes when the time is right and I do want to thank everyone in the Brumbies family for their ongoing support, but we have a job to do next season.
McKellar said he made the decision now to give clarity and allow the organisation and squad to focus on the upcoming Super Rugby season.
“I truly love this club and what it stands for and I’ve always said my goal was to leave the Brumbies in a better place than when I took over as head coach, so I’ll do everything in my power to ensure that happens.”
He has been instrumental in re-establishing the club’s academy, which has provided a pathway for both local talent and young players from around the country to develop their football and earn a chance to play top flight Rugby.
Brumbies Rugby CEO Phil Thomson said the club will now begin the recruitment process to replace McKellar while ensuring a “good level of continuity” is maintained in their staff for 2023 and beyond.
“While it will be tough to see Dan complete his time with us at the end of next season, it is helpful that he has made this decision now to allow us time to plan for the future,” Thomson said.
“Dan has led the club incredibly well in his time as head coach and will leave a lasting legacy at the Brumbies when he departs at the end of next season.”
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