Former Port Adelaide champion Josh Francou has been announced as North Adelaide's new senior coach for the 2026 campaign after months of speculation.
His appointment follows the sacking of fellow Port Adelaide great Jacob Surjan earlier in the season, who was dismissed after six seasons in the top job.
Francou, who played 156 games for the Power and earned All-Australian honours in 2002, was an assistant coach at Sydney, Adelaide and Gold Coast before returning to serve as North's director of coaching this season as well as the head of football at St Peter's College.
A former Roosters junior who played 58 games for the club between 1993 and 1996 and won the 1996 Magarey Medal, Francou also previously coached the club from 2011 to 2013 and led them to a grand final appearance in his final season at the helm.
“I am thrilled to be back at North coaching the club,” Francou told the North Adelaide website.
”I am grateful for this opportunity and can't wait to work with the players, staff and wider North Adelaide community heading into the 2026 season.”
North Adelaide president Kris Mooney spoke glowingly of Francou's attributes and what he can bring to the club.
”With his passion for the club, he was the ideal choice,” Mooney said.
”We are confident that his leadership, expertise and commitment to player development will guide our team to success.
”The club also would like to acknowledge the outstanding work done by interim coach Sam Mayes. His commitment and energy have ensured that the playing group remained united in this challenging year, and he represented the club at the highest level.”
A famous name at Prospect, Francou's eldest son, Will, is an emerging wingman at North Adelaide who played 13 league matches this season.
After a positive start to the 2025 campaign, North Adelaide lost their last eight games of the season to finish ninth with a 4-14 record.
The Roosters have not played finals since suffering a heartbreaking one-point grand final defeat to Norwood in 2022.
However, North Adelaide has reason for optimism going forward, with their reserves team finishing third with an 11-7 record after a strong campaign.
The club also has several exciting juniors coming through, with Sam Cumming and Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier in the mix for selection at the upcoming AFL draft.
The change in senior coach follows the announcement that CEO and former player Craig Burton will depart the club after serving in the role for four years.
Meanwhile, veteran forward Keenan Ramsey also announced his retirement earlier in the season after battling ongoing foot injuries.
