Former Salford Red Devils assistant coach Kurt Haggerty has committed to a new club, just over two weeks since leaving the Super League side.
Haggerty was the head coach-in-waiting at Salford with the 36-year-old in line to replace Paul Rowley at the end of the 2025 season, with Rowley set to take on a director of rugby role.
Amid all the uncertainty ahead of the 2026 season given Salford’s financial woes and the unlikelihood that they will be in Super League, Haggerty stepped down as assistant and in doing so, stepped away from his 2026 role.
A statement from him at the time explained: “The public nature of the situation and uncertainty of my future as the head coach of the club moving forward has become incredibly unbearable for me and my family. This ultimately led to my decision to leave the club.”
Just over a fortnight later and he has now been confirmed as the new head coach of Bradford Bulls.
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Ex-Salford Red Devils assistant signs three-year deal with Bradford Bulls
The Bulls, who are one of the Championship clubs to apply to join Super League for 2026, are in a very strong position to earn that promotion, via either IMG or the application process.
Haggerty will take over in 2026 with Brian Noble, the man who has coached the Bulls in 2025, moving back to an off-field role.
A club statement announced: “Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the appointment of Kurt Haggerty as the club’s new Head Coach on a three-year deal.
“The 36-year-old played for the Bulls in 2016, having also represented Leigh Centurions, Widnes Vikings and Barrow Raiders during his playing career.”
On his new job, Haggerty said: “I am extremely excited, I played for Bradford 10 years ago and I was always proud to represent the club back then so to have the opportunity to come back and coach Bradford is a special moment for me.
“I have known Nobby [Brian Noble] for a good few years, I worked with him at Toronto and have stayed in touch ever since and that relationship has remained strong so when this opportunity came about after I left Salford, it flourished from there and I am very happy to get it over the line.”
Haggerty recalled the Challenge Cup game between the Bulls and Salford, which the Red Devils won, and explained how impressed he was.
He said: “I remember Salford’s cup game against Bradford in March and the travelling support made it feel like a Super League game. The fans were incredible 10, 20, 30 years ago even and this is such a big club, they have always been amazing and I hope they get behind us in 2026.”
Brian Noble labelled it a “coup” for the club: whilst adding that Bradford are ‘hopeful’ of being in Super league for 2026, but that he’s ‘confident’ it will come soon if they don’t make the grade next year.
🤝 | Bradford Bulls are delighted to announce the appointment of Kurt Haggerty as the club’s new Head Coach on a three-year deal.
📖 | https://t.co/YlC4EpiD4u#StrengthInNumbers pic.twitter.com/pHKY4VsdHl
— Bradford Bulls (@OfficialBullsRL) September 17, 2025
