A partnership formed at the Brisbane Broncos will be a significant part of the Reds' brains trust in 2019 with Peter Ryan signing on as Queensland's defence coach.
Ryan featured in the 1997 and 1998 NRL premierships alongside Thorn and after an illustrious rugby league career turned his hand to the 15 man game.
He played a part in the Brumbies' 2001 Super Rugby winning campaign and eventually returned to ACT to take up his first coaching job in rugby.
Prior to that he guided the Broncos and Cowboys' defensive structures for five and three years, respectively.
He has signed on until 2020 and that's a big tick for a Reds team which was crying out for some experienced heads to support Thorn this year.
Queensland now have Ryan and attack maestro Jim McKay as Thorn's right hand men to go with a youthful playing list which played some solid rugby this season.
That solid rugby was often offset by some head scratching performance - particularly defensively - and Ryan will be charged with making the defensive unit a consistent force.
“Brad and I have worked together on-and-off the field for many years and his role at the Reds played a big part in my decision to come to Ballymore," Ryan said.
"We have very similar views on rugby and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in with this group of Queenslander."
Thorn labelled Ryan a "tough operator" and said his hard edge would be invaluable.
"I’ve known him since 1994 when we played at the Broncos together," Thorn said.
"We had great success over the years, including winning the title in 2006 when I was still playing and he was in the defence role at the club.
"He was a tough operator as a player and I know he’ll bring that attitude and hard edge as a Defence Coach here at the Queensland Reds."
Signing Ryan means there is no spot for Tony McGahan in the Reds coaching box.
He will join fellow former assistant Paul Carozza in the Reds academy.
