Images: Matthew Sampson
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has held the Head Coach position since 2012, and after a rollercoaster of a 2024 season, the Power’s succession plan has been unveiled. As an undeniable character of the footy world, Hinkley went from crowd favourite to questionable, then back to crowd favourite in a matter of months last season.
Hinkley is the club’s longest-serving coach, and also holds the AFL record for most seasons coached without a premiership. Despite the empty premiership cabinet, at least since 2004, the veteran coach has given fans immense joy in his twelve seasons as Power coach. There’s no doubt Hinkley has had a hugely positive impact on the club, with consistent finals runs especially in recent years.
After a two-year contract extension in 2023, it seemed as if Hinkley’s future at Port Adelaide would continue to stretch on, but with fans desperate for some silverware, not just a deep finals run ending in disappointment, it seemed about time to switch it up.
This morning the club officially announced that Hinkley would coach out this year’s season before handing over the job to his successor for the 2026 season. Taking over in 2026 is current senior assistant coach Josh Carr, who will reportedly sign a three year deal as Power Head Coach.
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch said in an official statement, “Ken has had open communications with the club over the pre-season and confirmed that 2025 would be his last season as senior coach of Port Adelaide.”
“As is his way, Ken has put the club first in acknowledging we have a coach in waiting in Josh Carr who will be primed to lead the club in 2026.”
“Ken is as enthusiastic and energised as ever and wants nothing more than for the club to be successful both here and now, and into the future.”
“Without question, Ken is the senior coach for this season. Whilst Josh will be our senior coach in 2026, he remains focused on his role in supporting Ken in 2025 and will be perfectly positioned to transition into the senior role at the end of the season.”
“Our club is in a very fortunate position to have Ken continue to lead and coach our group this season, and to have Josh Carr, one of the most sought-after assistant coaches in the AFL, well prepared to take over in 2026.”
“When we reappointed Ken in 2023, we were also focused on the future.”
“At that time, the clubβs Board challenged CEO Matthew Richardson, GM β Football Chris Davies and the football department to ensure we had a viable internal candidate to be our next senior coach, whenever that time came. Good organisations are always planning for the future and ensuring they have the best people.”
“As an organisation, we support the growth and development of our people to ensure our organisation continues to grow and prosper. Whether it be our chief executive, our head of high performance, or our next senior coach.”
“The discussion with Josh at the end of 2023 was that we believed he had the right attributes to be an AFL senior coach in the future and hopefully the senior coach of Port Adelaide, and we wanted to continue to support that path for him.”
“Across the last 18 months weβve seen Josh continue to grow and develop and believe he is perfectly positioned to lead our club in his own right in 2026.”
“Weβre delighted to confirm this transition is now officially in place, with Josh now formally contracted as Port Adelaide senior coach from 2026 and beyond.”
Hinkley reflected on his time at the club and the future ahead, saying, “Iβve enjoyed open dialogue with the club for some time now in regards to this being my final season in charge.”
“I, along with our leaders at the club, always have an eye for the future and as Iβve been saying for the last year, Josh Carr is absolutely the best person to take over as senior coach at the right time.”
“I still have a burning desire to lead this club in 2025. Iβm fresh and recharged and have the privilege of leading a very driven playing and coaching group.”
“But come the end of the season, it will be time to hand the baton to Josh who would have experienced a further 12 monthsβ growth as a senior assistant. Without question, Josh will be ready to coach in his own right.”
Future Port Adelaide coach Josh Carr said, “Whilst itβs an honour to have been appointed Port Adelaideβs next senior coach, my focus right now is to support Ken, the other coaches and players as best I can as we strive for success this season.”
“Ken is the senior coach. I will continue as coach of our midfield group and take every opportunity to develop and grow as a coach across this season.”
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