Brisbane Lions will name Chris Fagan as new coach

BRISBANE hopes to tap into Hawthorn’s recent dynasty by naming Hawthorn football boss Chris Fagan as its new coach.

Hawthorn’s new coach Chris Fagan with Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

THE Brisbane Lions will this week announce Chris Fagan as their new senior coach.

As reported in the Herald Sun on August 31, the day after Justin Leppitsch was sacked, Fagan has been the frontrunner ever since.

An official announcement is expected as early as Tuesday.

Currently Hawthorn’s general manager of football operations, Fagan will become the fifth man to have worked alongside Alastair Clarkson to become a current AFL coach (Luke Beveridge, Brendon Bolton, Leon Cameron and Adam Simpson).

Unlike the other quartet, Fagan has not been an assistant coach since his days with Neale Daniher at Melbourne between 2000-04. But he is extremely highly regarded at Hawthorn and, at 55, was not going to get a lot of opportunities in the future.

He is believed to have beaten Carlton assistant coach John Barker for the Brisbane role, Barker having lost in a close decision to Bolton at Carlton last year.

Ando on the money 6 weeks ago the day after Lepper was sacked when he said Fagan would be appointed. He has been as of today

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) October 3, 2016

Importantly, Fagan comes with the AFL imprimatur after working alongside AFL football operations manager Mark Evans at Hawthorn between 2008-2013.

And given the sensitive nature of the Brisbane Lions’ current standing, the AFL has been involved with recent decisions concerning the appointment of David Noble as head of football and now Fagan.

Brisbane chief executive Greg Swann was unavailable for comment yesterday. Fagan, who played 275 games in Tasmania with Hobart, Sandy Bay and Devonport, has since been involved in most facets of coaching off the ground with Hawthorn, Melbourne, Tassie Mariners, North Hobart and Sandy Bay over the past 25 years.

At Hawthorn he was originally head of coaching and development before becoming general manager of football operations. Fagan has been with the Hawks for all four premiership wins from 2008-2014.

Originally a teacher from Queenstown, who has a Bachelor of Education and is a Level 3 accredited coach, Fagan was lured to the AFL by Daniher who described finding him as the best recruiting decision he made in his time at Melbourne, raving about his management skills and work ethic.

Originally published as Brisbane Lions will name Chris Fagan as new coach