John Brennan has been coaxed out of retirement to become the new Program Director of 2GB.

Chris Smith had decided some months ago that combining PD duties with a full time daily afternoon on-air shift was too much of a job for anyone. Smith and his wife also recently had their first child.

Since that time 2GB has been casting around quietly for a new PD, exploring options with several successful talk PDs around the country and also trying to convince Brennan, who has been consulting to the station, to give the job his full time attention.

2GB is also expected to appoint an Assistant PD to work with Brennan.

Brennan ‘discovered’ Alan Jones as a radio presenter and is seen as a mentor to the top rating breakfast presenter.

Chris Smith told radioinfo: “I’m very happy to hand the job to Brenno… In the time I have been doing the job we have turned things round and made 2GB a viable station. You can only do two full time jobs in one day for so long, and I’m pleased now to be able to concentrate on my air shift.”