Justin Holbrook has replaced Adam O'Brien as head coach of the Newcastle Knights after the club parted ways with O'Brien in August 2025. The Knights assembled a selection panel including chief executive Peter Parr, director of football Chris James, chairman Geoff Coburn, board member Tony Price and club legend Michael Hagan, who coached Newcastle to their last premiership in 2001.
The panel interviewed five candidates. Blake Green and Brian McDermott, who were already at the club as part of O'Brien's coaching staff, emphasised defence and knowledge of which young players were ready for first-grade football. Dean Young, then an assistant at St George Illawarra before later taking the Dragons job, focused on ensuring the club's pathways were strong. Brad Arthur, coaching at Leeds in the Super League, had previously taken Parramatta to the 2022 grand final and had a connection with Knights five-eighth Dylan Brown, who made his NRL debut under Arthur at the Eels.
Holbrook stood out for his clear plan. The panel admired how he wanted to tap into the attacking talents of Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best, Dom Young, Fletcher Sharpe, Fletcher Hunt, Sandon Smith and Brown. The 1997 and 2001 premiership teams were known for their gritty defence but also had attacking flair, and Holbrook's vision aligned with that tradition.
Under Holbrook, the Knights have reached their first grand final in 25 years.