NRL: Brisbane chair Karl Morris only interested in the very best in his search for a new coach

Brisbane chair Karl Morris says the Broncos will chase the best coach they can as they look to rebuild the club.

Karl Morris and Darren Lockyer at Broncos headquarters in Brisbane’s RedHill Picture: Annette Dew

Brisbane chair Karl Morris says temperament will be a big factor in the Broncos’ search for a new head coach as they scour the game for someone capable of handling the scrutiny that comes with being a figurehead at the code’s biggest club.

Morris also insisted the club was in no rush as the board prepares to meet on Monday night to finalise a process to find a successor to Anthony Seibold. Broncos legend Kevin Walters and former North Queensland coach Paul Green have been tipped to fight it out for the role, although Morris says the club will explore every avenue in their search for a new coach.

The Broncos have tried and failed to lure Craig Bellamy back to the club on at least two previous occasions. It seems hard to believe they won’t ask the question again, although Bellamy has another year remaining on his deal at the Storm and has indicated he is likely to quit full-time coaching after that.

Morris wouldn’t be drawn on potential coaches and insisted the club would take their time as they search for someone capable to rebuilding the Broncos.

“We’re in no rush with the process,” Morris told The Australian. “One of the advantages of having an open position, as with the CEO role, is you are sometimes surprised by who might be interested and who you might be able to secure.
“It is the Broncos — we will be looking for the best coach we possible can.”

Bellamy is the best in the business but the Storm are unlikely to countenance an early release to join Brisbane. That is likely to leave Walters and Green at the front of the queue given their desire for the role and their affinity with the organisation.

Seibold was caught off guard by the intense attention that came with coaching the Broncos and Morris said the next coach would need to be able to handle the pressure that came with leading the game’s flagship club.

“Yes, absolutely,” he said when asked whether that would be a key factor in the next coaching appointment.
“They have to have the real temperament for both internal and external scrutiny and success.”