Ken Hinkley will step aside at season’s end and hand over Port Adelaide coaching role to Josh Carr

After battling all manner of pressure to keep his job in 2024, Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has confirmed his and the club’s plans for the future.

Ken Hinkley has been lauded for “putting the club first” after confirming 2025 would be his last season as Port Adelaide coach before handing over to highly regarded assistant coach Josh Carr.

Carr will replace Hinkley, who is the Power’s longest-serving coach, on a three-season deal until the end of 2028.

The Power won more than 50 per cent of games under Hinkley in two of his 12 seasons at the helm, but his finals record sparked regular scrutiny.

Port Adelaide won just six of 15 post-season matches under Hinkley’s guidance including several preliminary final defeats.

It’s another in a long list of AFL coaching succession plans, the most recent being Sam Mitchell taking over from Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn in 2021, a year earlier than planned.

Ken Hinkley has informed the club he will step aside at season’s end and hand over to Josh Carr as senior coach in 2026.

📝 https://t.co/2Ej5SMdUSspic.twitter.com/ii6Y2V97ca

— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) February 11, 2025

Hinkley said he still had a “burning desire” to deliver success in 2025 but, by season’s end, it would be time for change at Alberton.

“I’ve enjoyed open dialogue with the club for some time now in regards to this being my final season in charge,” Hinkley said.

“I, along with our leaders at the club, always have an eye for the future and as I’ve been saying for the last year, Josh Carr is absolutely the best person to take over as senior coach at the right time.

“I still have a burning desire to lead this club in 2025. I’m fresh and recharged and have the privilege of leading a very driven playing and coaching group.

“But come the end of the season, it will be time to hand the baton to Josh who would have experienced a further 12 months’ growth as a senior assistant. Without question, Josh will be ready to coach in his own right.”

Port coach Ken Hinkley will call it quits after this season. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Carr said he would remain in his lane as midfield coach and back Hinkley’s leadership until the official handover.

“Whilst it’s an honour to have been appointed Port Adelaide’s next senior coach, my focus right now is to support Ken, the other coaches and players as best I can as we strive for success this season.

“Ken is the senior coach. I will continue as coach of our midfield group and take every opportunity to develop and grow as a coach across this season.”

Port Adelaide chairmen David Koch said Hinkley put the club first in his decision to step down.

“Ken has had open communications with the club over the pre-season and confirmed that 2025 would be his last season as senior coach of Port Adelaide,” Mr Koch said.

“As is his way, Ken has put the club first in acknowledging we have a coach in waiting in Josh Carr who will be primed to lead the club in 2026.

“Ken is as enthusiastic and energised as ever and wants nothing more than for the club to be successful both here and now, and into the future.

“Without question, Ken is the senior coach for this season. Whilst Josh will be our senior coach in 2026, he remains focused on his role in supporting Ken in 2025 and will be perfectly positioned to transition into the senior role at the end of the season.

“Our club is in a very fortunate position to have Ken continue to lead and coach our group this season and to have Josh Carr, one of the most sought-after assistant coaches in the AFL, well prepared to take over in 2026.”

Originally published as Ken Hinkley will step aside at season’s end and hand over Port Adelaide coaching role to Josh Carr