The Brumbies have confirmed Dan McKellar will leave the club at the end of the 2022 season.
McKellar took over as head coach in 2018 after making his name with Tuggeranong Vikings in the John I Dent and the Canberra Vikings in the NRC.
He led the Brumbies back to the semi-finals in 2019, before guiding them to the inaugural Super Rugby AU title in 2020.
The 45-year-old was seconded to the Wallabies as their forwards’ coach for 2021, with McKellar set to take the role permanently following next season’s Super Rugby.
“It will be incredibly difficult to leave the Brumbies at the end of next season, but I feel that this is the right time to make a call on my future to give the club time to plan for beyond 2022,” he said in a statement.
“The Brumbies gave me a chance in 2014 and have shown tremendous faith in me over these last four years as head coach.
“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, and I’m excited to get back to Canberra after finishing my duties with the Wallabies and finishing off my time with the Brumbies on a high.
“We have a talented, united group and from my perspective, making the decision now gives us all clarity and time to plan so that we can focus on the upcoming season as a team and organisation to perform at our best for our fans and our community.
“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.”
Brumbies CEO Phil Thomson thanked him for his services to the club and the extensive notice as they begin the search for a new coach 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 added.
“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.
“Winning Super Rugby AU in 2020, given the circumstances of that season will live long in the memory but Dan has also been instrumental in re-establishing our academy, which has seen both local talent and young players from around the country get a chance to play Super Rugby and to represent the club and it’s values.
“Dan and the team’s focus is solely on the 2022 Super Rugby season, but we will now begin the recruitment process to replace Dan together with ensuring that we maintain a good level of continuity in our staff group for 2023 and beyond.”
