A touch of Sydney and Melbourne will come to Newcastle next year with in-demand assistant Adam O'Brien formally appointed as the Knights' NRL coach.
In a move strongly mooted over the past fortnight, Roosters assistant O'Brien was locked into a three-year deal on Monday.
He'll take over from caretaker coach Kristian Woolf, who replaced Nathan Brown following the Knights' poor run this season which left them out of finals contention.
"The Knights are a strong club with a significant and passionate supporter base through the Hunter region and beyond," O'Brien said in a statement on the club's website.
"They have stability off the field via the Wests Group and a rich nursery of junior talent.
"I have been patient throughout my coaching career, but the time is right to make this move, and all of these attributes made the move to Newcastle an easy decision.
"The playing list excites me and the Hunter community excites me. There is a lot to look forward to."
A highly regarded assistant to Trent Robinson at the Roosters this year, O'Brien spent his formative years at another of this century's most successful NRL clubs, the Melbourne Storm.
But he'll need every bit of that experience to help turn the struggling club around after a forgettable period under Brown.
While credited with rebuilding the Hunter side's roster, the results have failed to materialise for Brown, who won just 26 per cent of games since taking over in 2016.
They finished with the wooden spoon in two of those seasons, and despite a strong 2019 roster, ultimately finished out of contention for the finals this year.
Brown pulled the pin last week after initially suggesting he'd see out the season.
The club has attracted largely negative headlines since, with the likes of former greats, brothers Andrew and Matthew Johns calling for a full explanation from CEO Phil Gardner after suggestions he sabotaged the Knights' season by pursuing a replacement for Brown while the side still had a shot at the finals.
Gardner was confident O'Brien would be the man to help get the club, who haven't played finals since 2013, back on track.
"Aside from quality coaching, we want quality people within the organisation and Adam ticks all of those boxes," he said.
"Adam has had extensive experience in development and transition programs, along with his experience in leading premiership-winning clubs.
"We look forward to Adam's arrival ahead of the 2020 season."
AAP
