Why the Titans had to act now to secure next man in coaching carousel

The Gold Coast Titans hierarchy have refused to concede the club’s latest coaching turnover would be make-or-break for the floundering outfit, following revelations Josh Hannay would take the reins from 2026.

Fighting to avoid the wooden spoon, the Titans confirmed current boss Des Hasler would part ways with the Glitter Strip one year shy of his contract expiring, opening the door for Hannay to become a head coach for the first time.

Hannay, signed for three years, has served as an interim leader for both the Cowboys and Sharks, while his work as the Queensland Maroons’ assistant has been praised by Billy Slater.

Hasler, meanwhile, may be coaching his final games in closing out 2025.

Hannay will become the Titans’ ninth coach since the start of the 2017 season – during which Neil Henry was axed and replaced short-term by Craig Hodges and Terry Matterson.

Despite the turnover and poor results, with the Gold Coast boasting winning just two finals games in the last 15 years, Titans chairman Dennis Watt and chief executive Steve Mitchell were adamant Hannay had the tools to spearhead an era of success in the region.

“My background is I’ve been involved with premierships at two other clubs [Broncos and Storm], and in terms of the quality of people in this organisation I do see real similarities,” Watt said.

“We’ve been in conversation with Des and his manager for some time, and we’ve let that process run as long as we possibly could to the backend of this season,” Mitchell added, while stressing that Hasler’s appointment was not a mistake.

“We need to look at the business holistically, and we should all be under review. We’re here to deliver success, and if you have a look and say this is squarely with Des that’s probably untrue and unfair.

“We’ve got to have a look at the way we’re putting our roster together … and the amount of time we spend in pathways and bringing the kids who live in our region a life and chance to play on the national stage.”

The Titans needed to move swiftly to secure their next coach, with a host of their biggest stars reportedly considering their futures in the midst of the side’s turmoil.

Skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s lucrative contract is littered with player options that effectively make him a free agent from November 1, which will enable him to negotiate with rivals for 2027.

Halfback Jayden Campbell has also reportedly put contract extension thoughts on hold, while marquee forward David Fifita is yet to commit beyond 2026.

Mitchell said it was more than Hannay’s coaching record which drew them to him, but his bond with the key men within the Titans’ ranks they were determined to retain.

“He’s won three series for Queensland out of four, and his work with Billy, the feedback from that program and his connection with the player group through Tino, JC, Dave … he’s a man who connects,” Mitchell said, adding there was no disconnect between Hasler and the squad.

“I think he’s got a great rapport with those players who are a critical part of our roster. I think the real opportunity here with Josh Hannay driving it and the coaching resources we’ll put around him is watching the development of some really highly talented players we have on the field.

“We had a player group that was quite young when Des arrived, and they’ve had more coaching and learning than they would’ve got in five years.

“If Josh connects and gets that up and going … I think it’s the start of a brand-new era for that group.”

Hannay will headline a revitalised Titans’ back office, with the club’s inaugural general manager of football Scott Sattler returning as director of football.

Current football head Anthony Laffranchi will shift into head of recruitment, and will be tasked with balancing a squad which has leaned heavily on its forwards.

“Rosters evolve, particularly when you’re not at the right end of the ladder. We have to have a look at that and see where our depth is right, and parts of the roster and who we’ve got playing in critical spaces,” Mitchell said.

“We will [recruit].”

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