The Titans have confirmed head coach Des Hasler will depart the Gold Coast club at the end of 2025 season, with Maroons assistant Josh Hannay set to take over in 2026 in a bombshell move.
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The Daily Telegraph reported Titans are set to appoint Hannay as their new head coach.
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Hannay has scoached 11 wins from 30 games in interim coaching roles with the Cowboys in 2020 and the Sharks in 2021, but this will be his first full-time head coaching appointment in the NRL.
Hannay has been an assistant under Billy Slater for the Maroons and is one of the most highly touted young coaches in the game.
The 45-year-old scored 49 tries in 153 NRL games during his NRL career from 1998 to 2007 with the Cowboys and Sharks andplayed two Origins for the Maroons.
In a statement released on Monday morning, the Titans revealed the decision to move on from Hasler has been made, with a clause in his contract allowing the move.
Gold Coast powerbrokers could sack Hasler immediately once mathematically eliminated from finals contention in 2025, with his contract running until the end of the 2026 season.
Hasler now has two games remaining with the club before his time on the Gold Coast comes to an end, with the Titans scheduled to face the Dolphins and Tigers.
It’s been a turbulent season for the Titans this year and Hasler’s side are the favourites to take out the wooden spoon, winning only five games.
The Titans also revealed they will provide an update regarding their coaching structure in “due course”.
“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.
“While this season hasn’t gone as planned, Des has conducted himself with the dignity and class that has defined his entire career.”
Hasler coached in his 500th first grade game earlier this season, becoming just the sixth coach to achieve the feat against the Warriors in Round 21.
Only Wayne Bennett, Tim Sheens, Brian Smith, Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart have coached more games than the 64-year-old who has won two premierships as a coach in 2008 and 2011.
“Hasler came to the Titans with an extraordinary coaching pedigree, having reached five grand finals and won two premierships,” the Gold Coast’s statement read.
“During the 2025 season, he became the sixth coach in premiership history to achieve the milestone of coaching 500 NRL games, joining an elite group to have accomplished the feat.
“While the results this season are not what had been hoped, during his time at the Titans, Hasler has demonstrated the professionalism and dedication that has made him one of the game’s most respected coaches.
“His commitment to developing the playing group and his meticulous approach to preparation have been exemplary, despite the challenging circumstances and ladder position.”
It remains to be seen whether Hasler will continue as a head coach at a rival NRL club, with no current jobs available.
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