Ben Ikin has been tasked with rebuilding NRL strugglers Brisbane after the former premiership half was named to replace the axed Peter Nolan as head of football.

Ikin had applied for the chief executive vacancy ultimately filled by former Melbourne boss Dave Donaghy this season.

Donaghy has now appointed the retired half, who played alongside current coach Kevin Walters in the 2000 premiership side, as the club seeks to avoid back-to-back wooden spoons.

Nolan was released from the role last week after last Thursday's 46-0 loss to South Sydney took their season tally to three wins from 15 games.

Xavier Coates' snubbing for Origin II leaves Queensland without a Brisbane representative, although former Broncos Ben Hunt, Andrew McCullough, Reece Walsh, Jai Arrow, David Fifita and Francis Molo all got their NRL starts at Red Hill and have been named to play for the Maroons.

Matt Lodge and Tevita Pangai Jnr have both been linked to moves away from the club, while big-money half Anthony Milford is off contract and not expected to return.

Ikin has hosted NRL 360 on Fox Sports for the past 10 seasons but will leave that role immediately to take up his posting at Red Hill.

"The Broncos are a great club, but the NRL team isn't doing so great at the moment, so this opportunity is both exciting and challenging," Ikin told Fox Sports.

"Broncos fans are desperate to see the NRL team playing finals and winning premierships again, and I'll be doing everything I can to make that happen.

Ikin has previously held board positions with the North Queensland Cowboys and a director's role with the Queensland Rugby League.

Donaghy said Ikin was the "perfect fit for this senior role that is critical to the future success of our football club".

"Ben brings a wealth of rugby league knowledge and is widely respected in the game," he told Fox Sports.