Ken Hinkley named inaugural coach of Tasmania Devils AFL team
Consensus Summary
Ken Hinkley has been named the inaugural coach of the Tasmania Devils AFL team, which will debut in 2028. Both the Guardian and ABC confirm he signed a five-year deal ending in 2031, making him the first coach of the league’s newest expansion franchise. Hinkley, a 59-year-old with a strong background in coaching Port Adelaide from 2013 to 2025, was chosen over finalists John Longmire and Nathan Buckley. His coaching record at Port Adelaide included 174 or 116 wins from 297 or 282 games, with a win rate of 58.6% or 59.6%, though his finals record was weaker at 40%. The announcement came after a year-long search, with Hinkley presented to the Devils’ board in Hobart. The Devils, who began playing in the VFL and VFLW this season, face challenges in uniting Tasmania’s regions and overcoming stadium construction controversies. Hinkley’s appointment marks a major milestone for the club, following the hiring of CEO Brendon Gale in 2024.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Ken Hinkley signed a five-year deal with Tasmania Devils, ending in 2031
- Hinkley is a 59-year-old coach
- Hinkley coached Port Adelaide from 2013 to 2025
- Hinkley won 174 games and lost 114 (or 116) during his Port Adelaide tenure, with a 58.6% or 59.6% win rate
- Hinkley coached 282 or 297 home and away matches for Port Adelaide
- Hinkley was named coach of the year twice (2013 and 2020)
- Hinkley played 132 games for Fitzroy and Geelong between 1987 and 1995
- Hinkley was an assistant coach at Geelong, Gold Coast, and St Kilda (2001)
- Hinkley was 46 years old when he became Port Adelaide coach
- Tasmania Devils will enter the AFL in 2028
- Hinkley was announced as coach on Monday morning
- John Longmire and Nathan Buckley were final candidates for the job
- Hinkley was presented to Tasmania’s board in Hobart on Sunday or yesterday morning
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Hinkley was moved on from Port Adelaide less than 12 months ago
- Hinkley met with Devils a fortnight ago for a fact-finding mission
- Buckley was favoured for the job last year when he pulled out of the race for Melbourne’s coaching job
- Port Adelaide had a humiliating and record-breaking grand final loss in 2007
- Hinkley stepped aside from Port Adelaide when assistant Josh Carr wanted the job
- Hinkley spent this season working for Fox Footy and SEN
- Devils started playing in the VFL and VFLW competitions this season
- The Devils' coaching selection panel included chair Grant O'Brien, CEO Brendon Gale, football director Alastair Lynch, and culture boss Lauren Jauncey
- Hinkley was whisked into Hobart yesterday morning for a final presentation
- The appointment is the most consequential in the Devils' short history, surpassing that of inaugural CEO Brendon Gale in 2024
- Tasmania Devils' Macquarie Point Stadium cost is estimated at $1.13 billion
- Hinkley coached 12 seasons at Port Adelaide but never reached the finals
- Hinkley’s finals win percentage was 40% with six wins from 15 appearances
- Buckley had signalled his strong desire to coach the team more than 12 months ago
- The Devils' popularity has been tarnished by debate over Macquarie Point Stadium construction
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian says Hinkley coached 297 games at Port Adelaide, but ABC says 282 home and away matches
- The Guardian says Hinkley won 174 games and lost 123 (implied), but ABC says 116 wins and 114 losses
- The Guardian says Hinkley’s win rate was 58.6%, but ABC says 59.6%
- The Guardian says Hinkley was presented to the board on Sunday, but ABC says yesterday morning
Source Articles
Tasmania Devils to name Ken Hinkley as first AFL coach
Former Port Adelaide coach will prepare club for 2028 entry Nathan Buckley and John Longmire overlooked for role Ken Hinkley will be announced as Tasmania’s inaugural AFL coach less than 12 months after being moved on from Port Adelaide . After a long and thorough process, the Devils landed on the 59-year-old to lead the club into their first season in 2028. Continue reading...
Ken Hinkley to be announced as inaugural Tasmania Devils coach
The former Port Adelaide coach will be formally unveiled as the inaugural coach of the Tasmania Devils this morning. It completes a year long hunt for a senior coach for the AFL's newest club.