Family First: Andrew Johns Shuts Down Knights Coaching Rumours in Shock Revelation
As speculation swirls around the future of Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien, NRL legend Andrew Johns has firmly ruled himself out of contention to take the reins at his former club. With the Knights languishing in 13th place heading into Round 20, pressure has intensified on O’Brien’s tenure, and many fans have called for Johns to step into a greater leadership role. However, the Immortal says coaching full-time isn’t on his radar — and for very personal reasons.
Johns, a key figure in Newcastle’s rich history, revealed that the decision not to pursue the head coaching role stems from his desire to prioritise his family. Based in Sydney with his wife Kate and their three young children, Johns believes it would be unfair to uproot his family to move back to Newcastle, where the team is based.
“I’ve got a young family, and we’re settled in Sydney. It wouldn’t be right to make them change everything just for me to coach,” Johns said, adding that he has never had the desire to take on the demanding position of head coach. “It’s just not something I’ve ever really wanted to do full-time. It takes over your life, and at this point, I just can’t see that fitting with where I’m at.”
While stepping away from coaching ambitions, Johns remains passionate about the club’s direction. He believes that regardless of who takes the top job next, the Knights must turn their focus to the future by developing stronger junior pathways. “The big question isn’t about who coaches next — it’s about what that person does with the junior structure,” Johns explained. “If the foundation underneath isn’t solid, no coach will succeed in the long term.”
With the Knights potentially facing a major leadership change in 2026, Johns’ comments make it clear that his contribution will remain in a mentoring or advisory capacity — and that family comes first.
