- Chris Fagan has been extended with Brisbane until 2027
- Lions won the AFL premiership at the MCG in September
- Fagan took over in 2016, an impressive turnaround
Premiership coach Chris Fagan hopes to lead the Brisbane Lions into an AFL dynasty after extending his contract until the end of the 2027 season.
Brisbane confirmed Fagan’s new contract on Thursday morning, which will see him in the role for more than a decade.
It comes after Fagan clinched the club’s first premiership in 21 years in September after inheriting the league’s worst team in 2016.
“When I started I was probably just hoping to get a second contract,” Fagan said in a club video.
“Even though we had some quiet years in terms of profits in the first two years, luckily the club supported me and they have supported me ever since.
‘So it is an honor to continue coaching this group.
Head coach Chris Fagan hopes to lead the Brisbane Lions into an AFL dynasty after extending his contract until the end of the 2027 season (pictured, after winning the grand final in September)
Fagan stated: ‘it’s an honor to continue to coach this group’ (pictured, with star Lachie Neale after beating Sydney in the 2024 decider)
“We enjoy working together, I think, and we look forward to achieving even more success together.”
The Lions backed Fagan despite falling short in multiple finals campaigns, including the 2023 grand final loss to Collingwood.
“It’s a good lesson not only for sport, but also for life,” he said.
“If you want to achieve things, sometimes it takes a while and you have to go through a few ups and downs and a few failures before you get there.
“But eight years later we were able to do it.”
Brisbane also backed Fagan in Hawthorn’s racism saga.
The historic allegations of racism against the club and former coach Alastair Clarkson, his former assistant Fagan and former welfare manager Jason Burt were first publicly aired in September 2022.
Current North Melbourne coach Clarkson, Fagan and Burt have all consistently and strongly denied any wrongdoing, while an AFL investigation last May found no adverse findings against the trio.
Fagan, 63, went on to become the oldest coach in VFL/AFL history to win a premiership when the Lions defeated Sydney by 60 points in this year’s grand final.
When his new contract expires, he will be 66 years old.
“Extending Chris’ contract was an easy decision as he has shown that he is an exceptional coach since his appointment,” said CEO Greg Swann.
“His performances on the pitch speak for themselves and have led the club to a premiership this season, a grand final last year and a total of six consecutive finals series.
“What’s equally impressive is the culture he has helped create here, where everyone becomes the best version of themselves.
“He has taken this club from the bottom of the ladder to a premiership and we look forward to more success under his leadership.”