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Knights board meets to decide O'Brien's coaching fate
Sam Kosack • August 26th, 2025 7:57 pm
Adam O’Brien’s time at the Knights will be determined by a fateful meeting with the Newcastle board discussing his future tonight.
O’Brien has been under pressure in recent months with rumours as far back as a month ago that he would be removed from his position as Newcastle head coach.
The Sydney Morning Herald report that O’Brien has told Knights' powerbrokers he is willing to walk away at the end of this deal, which the board will meet to discuss at tonight's meeting.
O’Brien is guaranteed an 18-month pay-out if he is sacked, however, reports indicate a 12-month settlement has been negotiated.
The Knights currently sit in second last, only two points ahead of the Titans who sit in last.
In his five completed seasons, O'Brien has made finals four times, but only progressed beyond the first week once.
O’Brien triggered a guaranteed two-year extension at the end of last season after finishing in the top 12, however the club have decided to move in a different direction after the Knights have struggled at the bottom of the ladder for much of the season.
The club were interested in Josh Hannay, however, the Maroons and Sharks assistant has been announced as the new Gold Coast Titans coach.
Former Eels coach Brad Arthur and Blake Green loom as options to take the job should O’Brien be removed.
Green is the Knights’ current attack coach and looms as the frontrunner while Brad Arthur’s sons Jake and Matt are both contracted to the club.
SEN’s Bryan Fletcher wants to see the club take a different approach.
“I'm pushing for my man Willie Peters,” Fletcher said on SEN 1170 Drive.
"Willie Peters will do the double this year, Challenge Cup and Super League.
“Get him back… He was assistant (coach) there.”
Peters was assistant coach at Newcastle between 2020 and 2022 in Adam O’Brien’s first three years at the helm.
He currently coaches the Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League, and since departing the Knights at the end of 2022 to take over the club, has come fourth, second, and first in 2024.
