The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has today confirmed Brad Thorn will step down as head coach of the Queensland Reds at the conclusion of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Following two decades of unparalleled success as a player at the elite level, Thorn’s coaching credentials will leave a lasting legacy at Ballymore after he guided the Reds through a global pandemic to their first Super Rugby title in 10 years and blooded a total of 62 Queensland debutants during his six seasons in charge.
Of those 62 players to wear the maroon for the first time, 10 have gone on to play 50 matches for Queensland while another 14 players have since represented the Wallabies courtesy of their development under Thorn at Ballymore.
The 48-year-old is the longest serving Reds head coach in more than two decades and equal-fourth longest in Queensland coaching history.
“It’s been an honour to coach Queensland,” said Thorn.
"As a Christian, I want to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for his strength and for the purpose he’s given me in being here over the past six years.
“I’d like to thank my family for their support and I’m looking forward to spending more time with them at season’s end.
“I’ve also been lucky to have a great group of staff who have had my back along every step of the way, and I thank them – they’re friends for life.
“The past six seasons have been equally enjoyable as they’ve been challenging, but I’m fortunate for the opportunity and hope I when I do leave here, the program and culture is in better shape to when I started the job in 2018.
“To be a part of young footballer’s development is something special. It’s been great to see so many earn the opportunity to wear the maroon jersey for the first time, and then to go on and play for their country.
“The job’s not finished. We’ve got six games left and then finals – and we’ve got a plan to get there.”
QRU CEO David Hanham said: “On behalf of the QRU I would like to congratulate and also thank Brad for a great job leading the Queensland Reds over the past six seasons.
“Upon his appointment as head coach in 2018 he had to make some tough decisions – unpopular decisions, but they were for the betterment of the whole organisation.
“Built on care, humility and hard work, he changed the culture at Ballymore which then translated onto the field with three successive Super Rugby finals appearance and a title in 2021.
“Brad will continue to coach the Reds until the end of their current Super Rugby Pacific campaign. His fellow coaching staff and playing group are all equally committed with the goal of playing finals for a fourth-straight year.
“We will conduct a thorough process to appoint a new head coach for next season which will be communicated at the appropriate time,” said Hanham.
QRU General Manager – Professional Rugby Sam Cordingley said: “Queensland Rugby has a lot to thank Brad for. He has been a big part our successes on-and-off the field during his tenure.
“Brad has always had the best interest of Queensland Rugby and the club at heart.
“He speaks often about reward for effort and whilst recent results haven’t reflected the effort that has gone in, he certainly leaves the club in a better place for his time here.”
In his maiden year as Queensland head coach, Thorn won more games (six) than the previous four seasons (2017 – four wins, 2016 – three wins, 2015 – four wins, 2014 – five wins).
He guided Queensland to three-straight Super Rugby Finals appearances (2020, 2021, 2022) that included claiming the 2021 Super Rugby AU Championship.
In that same season, the Thorn-led Reds won the most games in a season (nine) since 2013, equalled a club-record 11-game winning streak at Suncorp Stadium, won three straight matches against the Brumbies for the first time in Queensland’s history, reclaimed the Rod Macqueen Cup for the first time in nine years and retained the Bob Templeton Cup for the first time since 2013.
Thorn was also a major driver for two of Queensland Rugby’s greatest initiatives which both took place in 2019 – the return of the Reds playing in maroon jerseys, and the highly successful ‘Reds to Regions’ visits across the state of Queensland.
Currently in the competition’s bye round, Thorn and his Reds coaching staff are preparing for the back-half of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season with Queensland hosting three home matches in the next month including a second historic game in Townsville in Round 11 against interstate rivals New South Wales on May 6.
