Former North Melbourne coach David Noble joins Dick Johnson Racing as CEO

Former North Melbourne coach David Noble has moved into his first permanent role since exiting the Kangaroos during the 2022 season.

David Noble has joined Dick Johnson Racing. Picture: Getty Images

Former North Melbourne coach David Noble is moving away from football and into the pit lane garage after being appointed as the new chief executive officer of Supercars team Dick Johnson Racing.

Noble takes over the chief executive role of the famous Ford squad from co-owner Ryan Story, who is stepping back from day-to-day operations but will stay on as the team’s non-executive chairman.

A long-time football administrator at the Adelaide Crows and Brisbane Lions before taking on the senior coaching role at North, Noble spent less than two seasons in charge at the Kangaroos in 2021 and 2022.

His short tenure at Arden St ended in July this year after just 38 games in charge.

Since his departure from the Kangaroos, Noble was part of the working committee charged with conducting the football department review at St Kilda.

David Noble has joined Dick Johnson Racing as CEO. Picture: Getty Images

Noble was a keen observer in the DJR garage at the Bathurst 1000 in October when he declared a long-time love of motorsport and Ford.

He had connections with the DJR commercial team from his time at Brisbane where he spent four years as general manager of football before his move to the Kangaroos.

Noble said he was excited to take on his next challenge, in motorsport.

“The opportunity to work with Shell V-Power Racing Team in such a competitive industry is incredibly exciting and a challenge that I am looking forward to,” Noble said.

“It is a privilege to be working in such a well-respected and iconic business.

“I look forward to working with our staff and partner group as we embrace the challenges of being a successful organisation.”

Noble’s appointment continues the off-track restructure at DJR, which announced in August businessman Brett Ralph and his family were joining the ownership group of the team.

The Ralph family’s majority shareholding of DJR comes into effect from January, 2023. V8 legend Johnson and Story will retain a significant share in the business.

David Noble with his new team.

Story said Noble would step into the role immediately.

“David has extensive experience in business and sports administration at the highest level and he is the perfect fit for this team,” Story said.

The DJR squad will race the new generation Mustangs for the start of the sport’s Gen3 era from next year, having served as the Ford homologation team.

The team will have continuity with its driver pairing after it was confirmed in August veteran Will Davison and Anton De Pasquale would race on with the Ford squad in 2023.

The DJR pair sit fourth and fifth in the drivers’ championship standings leading into the Supercars season finale at the Adelaide 500 this weekend.