After his retirement as a player, Brien began coaching, including stints with South Grafton in 1932 & Cowra in 1933. In 1937, Brien returned to coach Western Suburbs for the eight games of the shortened season where they finished second last. In 1939, he took over as coach at
Canterbury-Bankstown for a season, and returned to be at the helm when they won their second premiership in 1942. By 1947, Brien was NSW coach and one of their selectors. Later, he became an Australian selector, ==References==