 At the end of the 2009 season, Hinkley was announced as an assistant at the new Gold Coast Suns Franchise.Hinkley has also interviewed for the Richmond, Geelong and St Kilda senior coach positions but was unsuccessful.On 8 October 2012, Hinkley was announced as the senior coach of the Port Adelaide Football Club making him the first coach that has not been associated with the club before since Fos Williams.