Brisbane Broncos great Darius Boyd quits mentor role, follows Kevin Walters out of Red Hill

One of Kevin Walters’ trusted assistants informed the former coach of his decision to walk away from the football program a week before Walters was axed as Broncos coach.

Brisbane legend Darius Boyd has dropped another bombshell on the Broncos by quitting the club’s football department, which included a mentoring role with superstar fullback Reece Walsh.

Sport Confidential can reveal Boyd had secretly advised Kevin Walters of his decision to walk away from the football program - just a week before Walters was axed as Broncos coach.

Ever the quiet achiever, Boyd had played a valued behind-the-scenes role with Brisbane’s coaching staff for the past three years.

The former Broncos skipper operated two days a week as Brisbane’s back-five coach, which included working with the likes of Walsh, Jesse Arthars, Selwyn Cobbo, Kotoni Staggs, Corey Oates and Deine Mariner.

But the Broncos will have to find a new mentor for Walsh and their backline stars next season after Boyd informed the club he won’t be returning for a fourth year of service in 2025.

Boyd wanted to exit without a fuss but it’s understood the 337-game NRL great was concerned with the direction of the Broncos’ football program.

Darius Boyd at Broncos training from at Red Hill. Picture: Adam Head

That triggered a meeting with Walters. Boyd informed the then coach he was open to seeking new opportunities at a time when the Broncos were conducting a review following their 12th-placed collapse this year.

Once the NRL’s premier fullback - he won the Clive Churchill Medal in the Dragons’ 2010 premiership win - Boyd was a vital guiding hand for Walsh.

The Origin and Test champion worked closely with Walsh at Broncos training, educating ‘Reece Lightning’ on line-running at fullback and executing in three-on-two situations, which was Boyd’s trademark.

Boyd would also regularly cut up video for Walsh and go through game analysis in a bid to make the Maroons maestro the best fullback in the league.

Darius Boyd (R) with Kevin Walters at broncos training. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Boyd also commanded enormous respect from Brisbane’s other backline stars, who valued his knowledge and remembered his starring role at fullback in the Broncos’ charge to the 2015 grand final.

Walsh was a huge fan of Boyd’s involvement at Red Hill. When the Broncos qualified for last year’s grand final, Walsh spoke of Boyd’s influence in his dream 2023 campaign.

“I am very grateful to ‘Darbs’. I wouldn’t be here doing what I am doing without him,” Walsh said in the lead-up to Brisbane’s grand-final loss to Penrith.

“Having him close each week and getting tips off him and picking his brain as much as I can ... he has been massive.

“I wouldn’t say just this year either.

“Darbs came to sessions when I was at the EPD (elite player development squad) here in juniors and was teaching us three-on-twos and summing up situations.”

Boyd is still employed by the Broncos and will continue as a mental-health ambassador, a role he is passionate about.

It remains to be seen whether Boyd will have a change of heart following the departure of Walters and whether new coach Michael Maguire has plans to bring him back.