Former NRL star James Maloney has been sacked as assistant coach of the North Queensland Cowboys after a drink-driving incident.
The Cowboys will have to prepare for finals without the 38-year-old, who was in the incident involving police last week, reports News Corp.
North Queensland immediately sacked Maloney after the transgression ahead of their Round 27 clash against the Bulldogs in Sydney on Saturday night.
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Cowboys football boss Michael Luck confirmed the parting of ways between the club and Maloney in a statement to News Corp.
“James has left our employment,” Luck said.
“It’s an amicable split. It’s a staff member so we won’t be commenting any further.”
Details of Maloney's DUI have not yet been released publicly.
Maloney, who won two NRL premierships with the Roosters (2013) and the Sharks (2016), signed a two-year deal to be an assistant coach at the Cowboys, ending at the completion of the 2025 season.
He played 247 NRL games across five clubs, also having stints at the Storm, Roosters and Panthers.
Maloney finished his career in France with two seasons at FC Lezignan between 2021-23.
