Brisbane Lions' captain Jonathan Brown denied on Monday he only agreed to remain with the club once he learned that coach Leigh Matthews was quitting.

On the same day it was announced that Matthews - the greatest coach in the Lions' history - was quitting with a year remaining on his contract, Brown also announced he had signed a new four year deal to remain with the club ending any chance of him returning to his native Victoria where several Melbourne clubs had been wooing him.

Dismissing suggestions of a rift between the pair, Brown said on Monday it was merely a coincidence that his staying and Matthews' departure had been announced at the same time.

"I came to terms (with the club) over the weekend," he said.

"It (his new contract) had already been done (before Matthews made his decision to quit) so obviously it had no bearing on it."

Matthews said he decided to quit on Saturday afternoon - before the Lions' round 22 clash against Sydney on Saturday night - but did not tell the club of his decision until Sunday.

Brown admitted he was 'shocked' by Matthews' decision to end his decorated coaching career.

"He had 12 months to go on his contract, it's all happened pretty quickly but we get the chance now to celebrate what has been a great career."

"There is also sadness because Leigh has been my only coach and he has been a fantastic mentor and coach and more importantly friend."

But Brown - whose presence at centre-half-forward was crucial to the Lions' three successive premierships won under Matthews from 2001-03 - also said life at the club must go on.

"We all there to get on with the job and try to help this footy club succeed," he said.

"I have been around the game long enough now to realise I have to get the best out of myself and that is my job."

Brown said he also had faith in the board to make the right decision as to who will replace Matthews - with his former teammates Michael Voss and Justin Leppitsch the clear frontrunners for the job.