Special K turns his hand to coaching
FORMER Bronco and NRL premiership winner Karmichael Hunt has taken on a coaching role in Brisbane next year as he embarks on his next challenge in life after professional rugby league.
The 34-year-old has been appointed coach of the Souths Logan Magpies’ Mal Meninga Cup team for next season in a huge coup for the Queensland club.
The code-hopping star was released from his contract with the Broncos after making a stunning return to the NRL this year to cap off a remarkable 17-year career.
Now, the premiership winner has decided to take up his first coaching role in Queensland’s under-18 competition to help foster the next wave of talent from his junior club. “I am super excited to begin my coaching career with (Souths Logan Magpies), the club that represents the juniors I grew up playing for,” Hunt said.
“I have a real passion for helping the next generation of players coming through, and coaching this year’s MM Cup team gives me the opportunity to do so.
“I look forward to passing on the breadth of knowledge I have learnt so far.”
Hunt is returning to where it all began after playing for Souths juniors at Acacia Ridge in his early days of rugby league.
After representing the Broncos from 2006 to 2009, Hunt spent the next decade playing rugby union and AFL, before making his NRL return for Brisbane this year and playing two games under coach Kevin Walters.
Hunt also played seven matches for the Magpies in the 2021 Intrust Super Cup competition, scoring three tries and setting up four others to steer Souths Logan to a finals berth.
Magpies CEO Jim McCleland said the club was looking forward to having Hunt join the club’s coaching staff.