Ken Hinkley Named Tasmania Devils Inaugural Coach on Five-Year Deal

Ken Hinkley has been named the inaugural head coach of the Tasmania Devils on a five-year contract running through the end of the 2031 season. The 59-year-old former Port Adelaide coach won 174 of 297 games at the Power from 2013 to 2025, compiling a 58.6% winning record and twice earning AFL Coaches Association Coach of the Year honours. He beat out high-profile candidates John Longmire and Nathan Buckley in the selection process.

Why Hinkley stood out to the Devils

Tasmania chair Grant O’Brien said the club did not prioritise win-loss records but instead sought a coach who could build relationships with young players and create a culture people want to join. O’Brien cited Hinkley’s ability to build relationships with young talent as the decisive factor. The Devils are constructing their list largely from young and developing players, making a teacher and people-builder essential for the expansion club.

Hinkley’s Port Adelaide record and pitch

At Port Adelaide, Hinkley led the Power to seven finals campaigns and a minor premiership in 2020, finishing with the highest winning percentage of any coach in the club’s history. He pitched his lack of a premiership as a strength, telling Devils officials that his hunger to win a flag still burns and would drive him to build Tasmania into a championship team. Hinkley made a two-hour presentation to Devils officials during his first visit to Hobart on Sunday.

What comes next for the Devils

The Tasmania Devils will join the AFL in 2028. Hinkley said he expects many ups and downs ahead, including building the football department from scratch. He brings experience as an assistant coach under Mark Thompson during Geelong’s premiership era, a background he believes suits developing a young, largely unproven list. His appointment completes a year-long hunt that included interest from other high-profile coaching candidates.

Hinkley’s message to Tasmanian supporters

In a video message to Devils supporters, Hinkley thanked Tasmania for the vote of confidence and said he looked forward to joining the journey. He expressed pride in being the inaugural coach, noting that in 100 years when Tasmania have won many premierships, his name will be recorded forever as the club’s first head coach.

Final Thoughts

Hinkley’s appointment marks a major milestone for Tasmania’s AFL entry in 2028. His track record building player relationships and his hunger for a premiership suggest the Devils have found a coach aligned with their expansion strategy of developing young talent into a competitive team.

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