Brumbies coach signs contract extension
NEWS: The Brumbies announced that head coach Dan McKellar has signed a two-year extension to his current contract that will keep him in the hot-seat in the National Capital until at least the end of the 2021 season.
McKellar, who was appointed as head coach at the beginning of the 2018 season, has overseen an impressive turnaround in performances that has seen confidence grown ahead of the forthcoming Super Rugby campaign.
“I think it’s a vote of confidence, not just in myself but in the program in general, the assistant coaches and the high-performance staff,” McKellar said. “it’s a sign that Phil Thomson [Brumbies CEO] and the board are happy with the direction the team is heading.
“Obviously from a personal standpoint I’m very grateful. You never take these opportunities for granted to work in professional sport and for a teamb like the Brumbies, it’s something I’m very proud of.”
McKellar made the move to Canberra to join the Tuggeranong Vikings in the local John I Dent Cup competition winning Premierships in 2011 and 2012 and forging the highly successful academy that has become a pathway for aspiring rugby talent in the national capital.
His success with the Vikings was always going to attract attention and he was selected to take over at NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in Japan, before a return to Canberra saw him link up with the Brumbies ahead of the 2013 Super Rugby season originally as a defence specialist before progressing to assistant coach.
“We are very happy to extend Dan’s contract for a further two years up until the end of the 2021 season,” Thomson commented.
“2018 was a challenging season for Dan and the team and it was a credit to his leadership that we finished the season the way we did. I have been very impressed with the quality of the overall rugby program that has been developed and implemented by Dan and his staff.
“His attention to detail and subtle changes that he has made on the back of learnings from 2018 has created, what I believe, to be a first-class rugby program.
“Dan has helped foster a positive environment for players to develop both on, and off, the field and I believe that it is important that we have stability and continuity within our coaching structure over the next couple of years.
“We are looking forward to this season with enthusiasm and anticipation. We are really hoping that as many of our fans can come out to GIO Stadium this Friday to support the team for the start of what will be a very exciting 2019 Super Rugby season.”
The Brumbies start the Super Rugby season this Friday, 15 February, with a match against the Rebels at GIO Stadium.
Getting prepped for Captains Run @BrumbiesRugby @giostadium pic.twitter.com/ZJarK4qylp
— Laurie Fisher (@LordLaurie58) February 13, 2019
RugbyPass has created a next-generation rugby rating system, based on machine learning and shaped by game-winning moments. The system (RPI) is a world first for its complexity and comprehensive embrace of northern and southern hemisphere players and teams. By using in-depth data analysis, RPI determines exactly what it takes to win, in real time. Explore the RPI now!
