The franchise GC17 announced McKenna had signed a two-year deal to coach the side in the Victorian under-18 competition next year and then in the VFL in 2010, before the club enters the AFL in 2011.
Collingwood senior coach Mick Malthouse was full of praise and admiration for McKenna.
“Guy has given Collingwood outstanding service since he joined the club at the end of 2003. He has been extremely loyal to the players, coaches and staff at Collingwood, and we are delighted he has been given the opportunity to develop the Gold Coast list. While he is a big loss to Collingwood, he is a great choice as Gold Coast development coach and we wish him the absolute very best for the future,” Malthouse told collingwoodfc.com.au.
Collingwood chief of football Geoff Walsh also spoke highly of McKenna.
“Guy has always conducted himself in an extremely professional manner. ‘Bluey’ has been instrumental in assisting in the development of our players and been a terrific coaching support to Mick. He is both a highly regarded and very popular staff member at Collingwood and will be a wonderful asset to the new Gold Coast franchise. While we are disappointed to lose someone of Bluey’s quality, we understand his decision and wish him the best in his new role,” Walsh said.
McKenna joined Collingwood as an assistant coach at the end of 2003 after coaching Claremont in the WAFL. Has been senior assistant since 2006, and in 2008 is in charge of the midfield.
He played a then club record 267 games for West Coast in the 1990s and was a key member of the club’s two premierships.
McKenna will continue with Collingwood until the end of the 2008 season.
