Titans announce new coach as Hasler sacked

The Gold Coast Titans have confirmed that Josh Hannay will take over as head coach on a three-year deal, commencing in 2026.

Hannay has been an assistant coach at the Cronulla Sharks since 2021 and has long been tipped to become a head coach. Hannay has also been assistant to Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater in the past four series.

Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said in a statement that the club is thrilled to welcome Hannay as their new coach.

“Josh is one of the best young minds in the game,” Mitchell said.

“After 10 years in the NRL as a player, Josh has built a body of work as an assistant coach that has him ready to be successful with a team of his own.

“Josh is excited by our squad, having worked with a number of our players.

“We have been highly impressed by Josh and his vision for this team.”

SEN's Scott Sattler has been announced as the new Director of Football at the Titans, having served as the inaugural general manager of football at the club.

Mitchell said Sattler will play an important role in pushing standards at the club.

"As a player, Scott was known for his incredible work rate, effort and never-say-die attitude," Mitchell said.

"These are the traits we want to see from our players and who better to instil this than a someone who lived and breathed these during his own career.

"Scott has a strong connection with the Titans, having been involved in the development of the inaugural roster back in 2007 and has showed that he knows how to put together a winning squad.

"He is a Gold Coaster through and through, he grew up here, played his junior footy here, made his first-grade debut here and continues to call our region home - Scott is passionate about the Coast and wants success for this club."

It comes after Des Hasler was sacked by the Titans this morning with the club confirming the under-fire coach will see out the season.

Rumours have been swirling all season over Hasler's future, with the club anchored to the bottom of the ladder with just five wins to their name.

Hasler had one year remaining on his current contract but it is believed that Josh Hannay will be his replacement for 2026.

“His deep knowledge, passion and unwavering commitment to excellence have been evident every day he has worked with our club,” Titans chairman Dennis Watt said in a statement released by the club.

“While this season hasn’t gone as planned, Des has conducted himself with the dignity and class that has defined his entire career.”

The club confirmed that Hasler will coach the Titans in their last two games against the Dolphins and Wests Tigers.

Reacting to the news as it broke, SEN's Matt White said: "It’s a huge move this one.

"On one side we have got an established premiership winning coach and the end of his tenure after 45 games at the club. It will take him to 505 career coaching games (after the final two of the season).

"A lot more to come out of this, but the big one for Hannay will be stopping Tino from hitting the open market would have to be priority number one."

Hasler's departure is the fourth time he has been dismissed by an NRL club in his 21-year coaching career.

During his time at the Titans, Hasler had just a 28 per cent winning rate across 47 matches.

Last week Andrew McCullough tipped Hasler to be the first one to go.

“I think Dessie (is) gone,” he declared on SENQ Breakfast.

“There’s too much speculation; there’s too much smoke around the place. I think they’ll wait till the end of the season. They’ll be doing their research now and trying to get the right suitor of that club.

“I think they need to freshen up and start again and try and blood some of the younger kids coming through, as it is a prestigious area, the Gold Coast (in terms of quality of young players).

“Some of those players going, it could be an absolute masterclass where they can free up a lot of money and get some key players and the balance of that squad where they need."