June 29, 2026 — 9:53amWaratahs head coach Dan McKellar has parted ways with the NSW franchise with a year left on his contract after a second poor season in charge prompted drastic change at the Rugby Australia-owned outfit.The Waratahs announced on Monday that McKellar had tendered his resignation after two years as head coach. It came after McKellar fronted the Waratahs board last week to explain the just-completed Super Rugby Pacific season, where the NSW side again failed to qualify for the six-team playoffs.Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar earlier this month.Getty ImagesThe Waratahs won just five of 14 matches, one fewer than in McKellar’s first season in 2025. McKellar, a former Brumbies head coach and Wallabies assistant coach, arrived at the Waratahs at the end of 2024 amid hope he could turn the perennially underperforming franchise around. NSW finished with the wooden spoon in 2024.But despite a star-studded roster and some strong wins, two mostly disappointing seasons unfolded, and McKellar’s ongoing future at the club came under scrutiny in recent weeks.Against a backdrop of mixed player feedback about the McKellar regime, the Waratahs and Rugby Australia last week conducted a review of the season and his future at the club.McKellar, who said after the Waratahs’ last-round defeat to the Force last month that he planned to still be at the franchise in 2027, made the decision to exit the Tahs over the weekend.Waratahs coach Dan McKellar.Getty ImagesThe Waratahs confirmed the news in a statement on Monday.“I have decided to step away from my role as head coach of the NSW Waratahs for personal reasons,” McKellar said. “I step away knowing I have given my all to help turn the Waratahs’ fortunes around over the last two seasons. As a coaching group, we have all worked incredibly hard to drive positive and necessary change.“I’d like to thank [assistant coaches] Dan Palmer, Locky McCaffrey, Mike Catt and Tom Carter for their hard work and support. I’d also like to thank captain Matt Philip for his support.“As this journey for the Waratahs continues, I wish all the players and staff the very best for the future.”Former Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is working with the Roosters.Roosters DigitalWaratahs chairman Tony Crawford said: “Dan has made a massive impact on the club since joining, both on and off the field. His work ethic and commitment to deliver his coaching program were second to none and he always put the Waratahs first.”McKellar’s exit comes after NSW attack coach Mike Catt also left the franchise by mutual agreement earlier in the month, and also with a year left on his contract.It is unclear who could take over as head coach of the Waratahs in 2027, with young assistant coaches McCaffrey and Palmer not likely to be considered successors. McCaffrey is coaching the Waratahs in the Super Rugby AU competition in September, and will likely act as interim head coach.Former Wallabies coach Stephen Hoiles, who now coaches California Legion in Major League Rugby, has been linked with the Tahs role in the past, but it would be his first Super Rugby job.Michael Cheika, who is on a one-year contract with the NRL’s Sydney Roosters, could emerge as a potential dark horse. The former Wallabies coach took the Waratahs to their first – and only – Super Rugby title in 2014.The highly respected Scott Wisemantel was also in the mix for the Waratahs role in 2024 before McKellar was appointed, and subsequently joined the coaching staff of the Parramatta Eels.As recently as four weeks ago, McKellar was bullish about continuing with the Waratahs in 2027 and confident they would turn the corner.“I’m contracted for next year, and I certainly don’t worry about that sort of stuff,” McKellar told media in Perth after the last-round loss to the Force.“You’ve just got to roll with the punches. Times like this make the good times feel even better, and they’ll come. We’ve got a group here that are buying into what we want to do. Nothing changes from my end“I’m in this for the long haul, and we’ll enjoy a beer together and reflect on the season, and then I’ll quickly get to work around turning things around for ’27.”News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.Iain Payten is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners