Smith was Bradford's first Super League coach in 1996

The Australian, who was coach when Super League kicked off in 1996, will assist new Bulls boss Steve McNamara.

Smith, who ended his 10-year stint at Parramatta this week, will leave before the end of the season to take over at Newcastle Knights in Australia.

"It's unbelievable news for the club and fantastic news for me personally," said McNamara.

"The opportunity arose because of his resignation from Parramatta but it came out of the blue.

He is held in the highest esteem by most people in the game Bradford coach Steve McNamara on Brian Smith

"We traded a couple of half-joking texts saying I was looking for an assistant.

"He was coming across anyway to visit his son [Harlequins assistant coach Rohan Smith] and he will be doing it on a voluntary basis.

"He is doing it first and foremost because of our personal friendship but he also believes it will be of benefit to him for the rest of his coaching career.

"It's a huge lift at this stage. He won't have a specific role. He fills a lot of the space. Apart from coaching the team, he will also be educating some of the staff and so take some of the workload off me.

"He is held in the highest esteem by most people in the game. He is a wise old owl and I'll be able to tap into him as and when needed. It will be good for the English game as well."

Smith's first game at Bradford will be against the Leeds Rhinos, coached by his younger brother Tony Smith, at Odsal next Friday.

Bradford have also announced the appointment of former Warrington and Huddersfield forward Basil Richards as a full-time assistant from 9 June.