LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Newcastle Knights head coach Adam O'Brien has stated that he will continue to operate "business as usual" for the remainder of the season, even after agreeing to part ways with the club this week.
O'Brien's tenure has been challenging, as he has seen the Knights languish in the bottom four with the league's lowest offensive performance.
This week marked a turning point, as O'Brien became the second head coach to be dismissed within four days-following the Gold Coast Titans' decision to replace Des Hasler with Josh Hannay for 2026.
Despite his dismissal, O'Brien is determined to finish the season. His team initially surged ahead with a 10-0 lead against the playoff-bound Cronulla Sharks on Sunday before ultimately succumbing to a defeat of 40-16.
When asked if the situation felt different, O'Brien responded straightforwardly, stating, "No different. Same as any other game. You're riding the highs and the lows. I don't know if I was carrying on up there, but my will and desire is for these boys to perform well and win, and that's still there for sure," during his post-match conference.
He emphasized that his focus is on preparing his team for the upcoming match against the Parramatta Eels in western Sydney, rather than dwelling on his impending departure.