Canberra coach Neil Henry will be installed as the new Cowboys boss after the Raiders agreed to release him at the end of the 2008 season.
Henry was contracted until the end of 2009 but was granted a 'mutual release' on Monday following a meeting of the Canberra board.
The release will allow the highly-rated coach to take over from Graham Murray at North Queensland.
Raiders CEO Don Furner said the club was disappointed to lose Henry, who they considered a long-term coach.
"The board agreed not to stand in Neil's way and decided he would remain coach of the club until the end of the 2008 season," Furner said.
"Neil has agreed to see out the rest of the season and will remain head coach of the Raiders until October 31 this year."
"I am confident that Neil will be focused on the rest of this season and has the full support of the players until season's end."
Henry rated the decision to leave Canberra 'extremely tough' but vowed to remain focused on the rest of the 2008 campaign.
"This has been the most difficult decision I have had to make," Henry said.
"I am grateful for the opportunity that the club has given me, I’m relieved the decision is out of the road and we're now focused on beating the Titans this weekend."
