Port Adelaide coach succession plan sparks calls for transparency

Leaked reports indicate that Port Adelaide is preparing to unveil a succession plan that will see veteran coach Ken Hinkley hand over the reins to senior assistant Josh Carr. Club great Kane Cornes has urged for transparency regarding this arrangement.

Cornes interpreted the news as an indication that Carr would be officially announced as Port's next senior coach once Hinkley concludes his tenure at the end of the current season.

"It's not saying they're going to sack Ken Hinkley now," Cornes remarked on SEN.

However, he stressed the need for the club to publicly clarify the situation.

Hinkley is under contract until the end of the 2025 season and is anticipated to coach this year, likely his last.

"We've reached out to the club and requested for David Koch (Port chair) or Chris Davies (football boss) to appear on our show. They declined, labelling the story as speculative," Cornes explained.

"Is it a major issue? I've been stating for three years that Josh Carr is poised to become the next coach of Port Adelaide."

Carr joined as assistant coach in 2023, with Cornes noting that discussions at that time indicated he had been "guaranteed" the senior position.

"Things went well for Ken, leading to a two-year contract extension, yet uncertainty has lingered. No one has simply stated what the arrangement is. Was it verbally agreed upon? Was it approved by the board?" Cornes questioned.

"While they would deny it, all indications suggest that Josh Carr is the next senior coach. I don't understand why they're keeping this under wraps. Such stories tend to fester and require an official statement."

In contrast, the Sydney Swans experienced a smooth coaching transition when John Longmire recently turned over coaching duties to long-time assistant Dean Cox. Cornes suggested that Port could adopt a similar approach.

"The club should be more forthcoming about its plans," he stated.

However, Cornes posed another critical question regarding the coaching situation. "As impressive as Josh Carr's credentials are, have you considered other options?" he inquired.

"Are you overlooking John Longmire? What about Chris Scott (Geelong coach) or Nathan Buckley (former Collingwood great)? Has the focus been so singular on Josh that you might miss out on a candidate like Longmire?"

Davie King, another commentator, raises concerns about whether former West Coast coach Adam Simpson (premiership coach in 2018) is deserving of consideration.

"Is Carr undoubtedly superior to Adam Simpson or others of that calibre? I don't grasp it," King remarked.

"This club operates differently compared to others. The re-signing of Ken Hinkley in August is one of the most puzzling decisions in football. They now have a chance to come clean with their supporters. It's their club, and the secrecy at football clubs always mystifies me. Who are they protecting this information from? The people who finance the club?"