KURT HAGGERTY APPOINTED BRADFORD BULLS HEAD COACH

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. 

Having hung up his boots in 2017, Haggerty has been Assistant Coach at Toronto Wolfpack, Leigh and Salford Red Devils.

Kurt 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. 

“It’s an extremely exciting challenge, it is almost like a new era for the Bulls and I am very glad to have the opportunity to run the programme moving forward. We will face some challenges along the way but it is an exciting project and I cannot wait to get my teeth stuck into it. 

“We are going to play rugby and move the ball about so we will have to be fit and tough too, we will face a lot of challenges so I need a team full of scrappers who are willing to work really hard for 28 to 30 games a year. 

“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, who is sponsored by Paints & Lacquers, said: 

“It is a coup for the club, he has a great future and will leave no stone unturned. His work ethic is very good, he is a good bloke and his rugby IQ is up there with the best.” 

“He is young, he has an affinity with the Bulls and I know he loved his time as a player at the club. He was earmarked for the Salford job and he was sought after for other Super League head coach roles within the last 12 months, so to secure him is a big fillip for the club. There are some outstanding young coaches around in the game and I believe we’ve been able to snare one. 

“I worked with him at Toronto and kept in touch with him and first and foremost, he is a good bloke. This club’s foundations are built around people being the best they can be, look right through the staff from the CEO to the kitmen and volunteers, they are all people who have gone above and beyond and it is palpable. 

“Kurt appreciates that and he is one of those people, he is not in any way shape or form arrogant and he is an outstanding coach. I have seen how he operates and have seen him in situations less than ideal but now having the chance to build, we all need to recognise it is not an overnight thing it will take time, we have shaped the Bulls in the mean time and now the same project lies ahead for Kurt. 

“The club and its fans are all hopeful that will be in Super League but if not I am confident Super League will come soon. I took the job last year at short term notice with Greeny [Lee Greenwood] and I think we’ve done a good job keeping the club stable and improving standards alongside the record on the pitch, Kurt now has to build on that. 

Bradford Bulls, CEO, Jason Hirst said: 

“As you’d expect with the Head Coach vacancy here at Bradford Bulls, we had a number of quality applicants which resulted in a diligent and meticulous selection process. 

We decided upon Kurt for a whole host of reasons including his outstanding interview, intimate Rugby League knowledge, grounding, connections, vision, style of play and holistic approach, not to mention his excellent personal attributes. 

As an ex-Bradford Bulls player, he understands the club and not least, its’ fans and what it means to represent them.

This appointment is just one segment of a dawning of a new era for our great club and Kurt is going to be integral to our future success.

On behalf of our whole club, I welcome Kurt back to Bradford Bulls, as our new Head Coach. 

In doing so, I’m excited to see our 1st team and entire Football Department further evolve under his leadership and expertise as he builds upon the great foundations that Brian and Lee have put in place.”