John Kear, the renowned rugby league coach and broadcaster, has died at the age of 71. The Rugby Football League confirmed that Kear passed away on Sunday, shortly after returning from covering Wigan's Challenge Cup victory at Wembley for the BBC.
Kear enjoyed a distinguished coaching career spanning more than 700 matches across nine clubs. He famously orchestrated Sheffield Eagles' shock Challenge Cup win in 1998 and led Hull FC to Challenge Cup glory in 2005. After retiring from coaching in 2025 following a second stint at Batley, he continued as a respected broadcaster.
A former player for Castleford, Kear also coached England, Wales, and France at international level. RFL chair Nigel Wood paid tribute, saying: 'On behalf of the whole sport, our thoughts and condolences are with John’s wife, Dawn, his family and with those who played or worked alongside him.'
Hull FC's chief operating officer, Tony Sutton, added: 'He was a true rugby league man through and through, with a deep knowledge of the game, who always had time to stop for a chat.'
