Head coach Dan McKellar to leave Brumbies at end of 2022 season
Dan McKellar was appointed head coach of Brumbies in 2018
©PA
Brumbies have confirmed that head coach Dan McKellar will be leaving the club at the end of the 2022 season.
Having coached UC Vikings, Tuggeranong Vikings and Souths Rugby Club earlier, McKellar joined Brumbies as defence and skills coach in 2014 and took over as the head coach in the 2018 season following the departure of Stephen Larkham.
Under the guidance of McKellar, Brumbies reached the semi-finals of the 2019 season and headed into the finals of the Super Rugby AU in the following two seasons including a title victory in the 2020 season when they defeated the Queensland Reds 28-23 in the final.
“It will be incredibly difficult to leave the Brumbies at the end of next season, but I feel that this is the right time to make a call on my future to give the club time to plan for beyond 2022," he told the club's official website.
“The Brumbies gave me a chance in 2014 and have shown tremendous faith in me over these last four years as head coach.
“I will obviously say my goodbyes when the time is right and I do want to thank everyone in the Brumbies family for their ongoing support, but we have a job to do next season, and I’m excited to get back to Canberra after finishing my duties with the Wallabies and finishing off my time with the Brumbies on a high."
The 45-year-old was seconded to the Wallabies as their forwards' coach for 2021, with McKellar set to take the role permanently following next season's Super Rugby.
“We have a talented, united group and from my perspective, making the decision now gives us all clarity and time to plan so that we can focus on the upcoming season as a team and organisation to perform at our best for our fans and our community.
“I truly love this club and what it stands for and I’ve always said my goal was to leave the Brumbies in a better place than when I took over as head coach, so I’ll do everything in my power to ensure that happens.”
