Oldham secure new coaching member after lengthy search for Sean Long replacement
Boundary Park, the home of Oldham RLFC
Oldham have added former Keighley Cougars coach Alan Kilshaw to their staff for the 2026 season, Love Rugby League can reveal.
The Roughyeds have been on a lengthy search for Sean Long’s replacement at Boundary Park, ever since it was confirmed that he would depart the club by mutual consent at the end of last year.
They had initially weighed up an approach for Halifax Panthers coach Kyle Eastmond – as was exclusively revealed by Love Rugby League in November – but he opted to remain with the West Yorkshire club in 2026.
However, their search is now drawing to a close, and Kilshaw will switch West Yorkshire for Oldham after leaving Keighley on Monday: but not as head coach.
At the time, the Cougars confirmed he was departing to take up a role elsewhere within the game. And it is now becoming more likely that role is at Boundary Park, with Kilshaw set to join the staff at Oldham and spearhead their charge for the Championship title in 2026. However, he will not be the head coach.
“I’m very excited, this is a great opportunity at a club going places with some top quality players who I am excited to learn off and work with,” Kilshaw said.
“I have come here as assistant coach to support Mike and get the best out of the players alongside the rest of the coaching team. My remit will be to look after the attack, we have some quality players there and we will make sure the attack is thriving.”
Kilshaw has worked for the likes of Rochdale and Keighley so far in his coaching career. Keighley manager director Kaue Garcia admitted on Monday that the club respected Kilshaw’s decision to take up a role elsewhere.
He said: “We are gutted to see him leave, but we understand that he has an opportunity that he wants to pursue, so we wish him all the luck for him in the future.”
And it now appears that role is much closer to his roots geographically, with Kilshaw set to start work imminently ahead of the Championship season starting next week. He would likely be part of the staff for next Friday’s mouthwatering season opener against Salford RLFC.
