Dan McKellar joins the NSW Waratahs as Head Coach

July 05, 2024
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Ultimate Rugby

McKellar is a highly regarded coach internationally and was the standout applicant for the position.

Having won the Super Rugby AU title with the ACT Brumbies in 2020, McKellar knows what it takes to build a successful culture and positive pathways program.

McKellar possesses high level experience across domestic, Super Rugby, and national levels, plus international experience in Japan and the English Premiership.

“We’re delighted to have a Head Coach of Dan McKellar’s calibre joining the Waratahs,” CEO Paul Doorn said.

“Dan has an impressive coaching resume and achieved great success with the ACT Brumbies in the Super Rugby during his five-year tenure.

“Dan will work closely with High Performance Director Simon Raiwalui, and their partnership marks an exciting new frontier for the Waratahs.

“I am confident that the appointments of Dan and Simon will put the Waratahs on the path to delivering sustained success from 2025 and beyond.”

After playing over 150 premier grade games for Souths Rugby Club in Brisbane, McKellar transferred into the club’s coaching ranks.

He then moved to Canberra in 2011 to take up the position of Coaching Director and Head Coach of the Tuggeranong Vikings, winning back-to-back premierships in the John I Dent Cup in 2011-12.

Following a stint in Japan as Forwards Coach of NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes in 2013, McKellar returned to the nation’s capital the next year to join the Brumbies as the club’s Defence and Skills Coach, and then Head Coach of the University of Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championships.

In 2018, McKellar was appointed Head Coach of the Brumbies, achieving considerable success over the next five years, highlighted by a Semi-Final appearance in 2019, and consecutive Super Rugby AU Grand Finals in 2020-21, claiming the championship in 2020.

McKellar’s talents were recognised in the national set-up, where he was the Wallabies Assistant Coach from 2021-23, before taking up his most recent position as Head Coach with the Leicester Tigers.

McKellar is excited to be joining the Waratahs and motivated to bring success to the state of NSW.

“I’m extremely pleased to be joining the NSW Waratahs,” McKellar said.

“Rugby in NSW has a proud history of over 150 years and the Waratahs are the pinnacle of representation within the state.

“The club fell short of expectations in 2024 but there are building blocks in place to improve on.

“I’m motivated and passionate to deliver a vastly improved performance next season, comprising of consistent efforts that will make the loyal Waratahs fanbase proud.”

McKellar will officially commence his role with the Waratahs in September 2024.

Coaching Career