Former NRL player Cooper Johns, son of Matty, joins Kyle and Jackie O in new career move

Cooper Johns has joined juggernaut radio duo Kyle and Jackie O as their new on-air talent, the former NRL player and his new employer have both confirmed.

Johns, the son of NRL legend and media personality Matty, was not offered a new contract by Manly at the end of last season, and has turned to a budding career in media instead of looking for more playing opportunities.

The 24-year-old, who also played made 11 appearances for Melbourne Storm between 2020 and 2022, had reportedly been eyeing off a move to the Super League, but has traded his boots for a microphone.

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“Why is Cooper Johns here all of a sudden? He’s got his own desk!” Jackie O said on KISS FM on Monday morning.

Kyle Sandilands confirmed the youngster would be there to stay.

“We’re not sure what he does yet but we’ve just secured his services,” the radio veteran said.

“The reason why we got Coops is because I thought he’s very, very good. We were paranoid and thought ‘we’ve got to secure this guy’.”

Johns has already dipped his toe into some forms of media, having made cameo appearances on radio, television and some podcasts.

“Nobody really knew what I was doing (in here this morning) and I don’t actually know what I’m doing either,” he joked on Monday morning.

Sandilands said Johns’ father Matty took some convincing that radio was the right path for his son.

“His father was on the phone saying, ‘Don’t let my son get screwed. You really want him to quit footy? It’s got to be worth his while’,” he said.

Johns insisted he hasn’t given up on his footy career, at which Sandilands couldn’t help but take a cheeky jab.

“That hasn’t been announced yet, but ahh…,” he said with a laugh.