Ken Hinkley will serve as the first head coach of the Tasmania Devils AFL club following an announcement on Monday [1, 2].
This appointment marks a critical step in the establishment of the new franchise as it prepares to enter the league. Hinkley brings significant experience from his time as a senior coach at Port Adelaide to a club that must build its culture and roster from the ground up.
The announcement took place during a press conference held in Hobart [2, 5]. Hinkley signed a five-year contract [1] that is scheduled to run through the end of the 2031 season [1]. His tenure will officially begin on Nov. 1, 2026 [3].
As the inaugural coach, Hinkley is tasked with assembling a competitive squad for the club's first appearance in the competition. The Tasmania Devils are scheduled to make their official competition debut in 2028 [3, 4].
The role requires the development of a strategic blueprint for a team that currently has no established player list, or historical tactical identity. Hinkley's immediate focus will involve recruitment and structural planning to ensure the club is viable for its 2028 entry [4, 5].
League officials said Hinkley was unveiled in Hobart to signal the transition from the planning phase to the operational phase of the club's creation [2]. The five-year deal provides a stable window for the coach to oversee the initial growth and early seasons of the franchise [1].
“Ken Hinkley will serve as the first head coach of the Tasmania Devils AFL club”
The appointment of an experienced coach like Hinkley provides the Tasmania Devils with immediate professional stability. By securing a coach nearly two years before the 2028 debut, the AFL is ensuring the franchise has a dedicated lead to manage the complex process of talent acquisition and cultural foundation required for a new expansion team.
