The Knights have confirmed Nathan Brown will coach out the 2019 season before being moved on, with Newcastle set to bring in a new coach for the 2020 campaign.
A top eight finish was the focus of the Knights this season, and Newcastle CEO Philip Gardner told the club's website it felt like the right time for Brown and the Knights to part ways.
“Nathan will go down as one of the most important coaches in Knights history,” Gardner told newcastleknights.com.au.
“When he joined our Club ahead of the 2016 season, it was at its lowest ebb. The sheer size and scale of the task he was faced with was monumental. It would have broken a lesser man.
“Put simply, it would be wrong to measure his contribution to the Knights in wins and losses alone.
“Nathan shaped our roster as he did our Club. He once again made Newcastle a place that players wanted to not just play in, but play for.
“His record speaks for itself. He has laid the platform for the team to return to premiership contention, and he has been the driving force behind adding both depth and quality to the roster.
“He brought true world class talent back to the club in the signings of Mitchell Pearce, Kalyn Ponga, David Klemmer, Tim Glasby and more. He also led the development of home-grown talents like Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Daniel Saifiti, and Mitch Barnett, who all grew immeasurably under his leadership.
“And in the years to come, we will see his hard work pay off when a new wave of local juniors enter the ranks of Knights NRL players – and this time, they will be ready to step up to the challenge.
“But more than that, Nathan’s calm and consistent manner is rare among the ranks of NRL coaches. He is a leader of men and a good man himself. His respect for his players, colleagues and the game sets him apart and is something he is known for, not just within the Club, but across Rugby League.