Axed Griffin vows to go down swinging
Broncos chief executive Paul White told Griffin on Sunday his services were no longer needed in 2015, with Bennett coming in on a three-year deal.
Griffin will, however, stay on as head coach for the remainder of the season.
White said the board's decision, made at the weekend, was based on the club's results over the past couple of years.
Griffin said he was disappointed but remained philosophical about the situation.
Brisbane sit sixth on the NRL ladder following their stirring 28-22 win over the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Griffin has received overwhelming support from his senior players and White, but senior board members have worked behind the scenes to lure home their foundation coach.
Bennett won six titles in 21 years at Brisbane before leaving at the end of 2008 to link with St George Illawarra.
He nearly returned to the Broncos at the end of 2011, but ultimately turned them down to take up a bigger $1.4 million per season deal at Newcastle.
Players were told of the news at a crisis meeting at the club's Red Hill headquarters late Monday morning.
Asked what he said to them, Griffin replied: "That I got the arse. What can you say? That I won't be here next year but I'm going to be here for the next 10 weeks."