BRADFORD BULLS will have a new coach next year, whether in Super League or the second tier, but current boss Brian Noble will still be on the scene.
The 64-year-old will stand down at the end of this season and return to a role supporting the Bulls’ coaching staff and players.
Having had a hugely-successful spell at the helm of his home-city club between 2001 and 2006, former Bradford player Noble took the reins again in succession to Eamon O’Carroll in October.
The ex-Great Britain hooker and coach had been working with the club as a consultant since 2023, and that year had a spell assisting interim coach Lee Greenwood, now his right-hand man.
The pair, along with Greenwood’s fellow assistant Keith Senior, are aiming to end the season with Championship Grand Final success, so bolstering Bradford’s bid for a return to Super League.
Chief executive Jason Hirst said: “We have already initiated the process of identifying and appointing a full-time coach for the 2026 season and beyond regardless of which division the club will be in.
“We do this after speaking with Brian Noble and facilitating his desire to return to a more holistic rugby role within the club while still supporting the first-team coaching staff and playing squad.
“On behalf of the club, I offer a heartfelt thank you to Brian for stepping in and becoming our coach at relatively short notice.
“I wish him and our entire first-team staff the very best of luck in what will hopefully be a very successful end to our season.
“Rest assured, Brian will remain a vital and influential cog at Bradford Bulls during the 2026 season.
“We will further update our loyal army of fans once we have appointed Brian’s successor.”
Noble, who had 14 years as a Bradford player, led the club to the Super League Grand Final in each of his five full seasons at the helm from 2001 to 2005, landing three titles and each time enjoying subsequent World Club Challenge success.
His charges were also Challenge Cup winners in 2003, having been runners-up in 2001.
Noble left midway through 2006 to take charge of Wigan, a role he held until 2009.
He coached former Super League side Crusaders in 2010 and was in charge at Salford from April 2013 to April 2014.
Since 2017, Bradford have had six different coaches in Australian Geoff Toovey, John Kear, Mark Dunning, Greenwood, O’Carroll and Noble.