That's the verdict from Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos, who harbours no ill feelings towards McKellar for leaving his Wallabies assistant's role to take the helm of Leicester in the English Premiership.
Eddie Jones had wanted to keep McKellar on board after being parachuted in to replace Dave Rennie just eight months out from the start of the global showpiece in France.
"Look, it's obviously disappointing but at the same time it's a good opportunity for Dan. He's got aspirations to be a head coach," Marinos told reporters on Friday.
"Dan was brought in from the Brumbies under Dave and with a very clear understanding that he was part of our development pathway, (with) a potential as a future Wallabies coach.
"I think he's just seen an opportunity now to get more head-coach experience and I'm pretty sure we'll see him back on our shores in the not-too-distant future."
Marinos says McKellar, a Super Rugby AU winner with the Brumbies before joining the Wallabies in 2021, most certainly hasn't burned any bridges with his untimely move.
"Let's call a spade a spade, Eddie's signed a long-term contract and Dan has aspirations to take over the head coaching role and there's a time line to that," he said.
"I think it would have been really good and beneficial, and everyone can acknowledge that, working alongside with someone like Eddie.
"But at the same time, like players, it's a very dynamic environment and there's the opportunity to go and coach at Leicester presents itself, where he can be the head coach.
"We can only be the beneficiaries of that.
"The important thing now is to make sure we stay connected to him while he's overseas and keep working with him and hopefully see him back in Australia at the right time."
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