The club is under immense pressure to turn things around and a big name has been thrown up.
Former NRL star Josh Reynolds has called for the Gold Coast Titans to chase Queensland legend Cameron Smith as their next coach with reports Des Hasler could be on his way out. This week, reports intensified that coach Hasler won’t be at the club next season after the sides troubles in 2025.
Broncos great Corey Parker doubled down on suggestions Gold Coast Titans need to make an immediate coaching change if whispers were true that Hasler had one-eye on retirement at the end of the season. The Titans are sitting last on the NRL ladder after 18 rounds with just four wins for the season.
They also face a Broncos side who have now won two in a row and are looking to cement themselves in the top eight this weekend. Hasler was brought into the side in 2024 to turn around their fortunes, but they finished 14th. The team is not doing any better this season and are once again set to miss finals footy as they battle to avoid the wooden spoon.
And on Friday, reports emerged the board will have the option to let Hasler go if they don’t beat the Broncos this weekend due to a clause in his contract. Reporter Peter Badel told SEN Radio the Titans can opt on the option as soon as the club don’t have a mathematical chance of making finals footy.
And this has prompted former NRL five-eighth Reynolds to suggest the club need to make a statement and go after a huge name. Smith is open about his desire to take Australian national side role as head coach ahead of the Ashes series later this year.
However, it appears he is in a race with Kevin Walters. But Reynolds believes the Gold Coast Titans need to make a statement and throw the money at Smith to change the culture at the club.
“I think they need to go after a big fish, his name has been tossed around for a few jobs at the moment, someone like Cam Smith,” Reynolds said on SEN Radio. “Lives up there. They need a winner. I know Cam Smith hasn’t done any coaching, but they need someone who knows how to win. That’s all he has done his whole career. It could be a big call.”
Reynolds suggested someone like Phil Gould could come in and ‘ruffle some feathers’ with the club struggling for years, despite a strong squad on paper. Reynolds said the club needs a ‘full reshuffle’ to start competing. Walters has also been linked to the Titans role on a number of occasions, but appears keen on coaching the national side.
Des Hasler facing the pressure at the Titans
Speaking on Friday, The Courier Mail reporter Badel claimed Hasler is facing a tough situation at the club. “It’s a sad state of affairs,” Badel told SEN Radio. “There was great hopes that Hasler would be the man to make this sleeping giant become a force.
There’s disharmony there. Players have raised issues with the coaching style…It is in his contract, a clause that he can be let go if the Titans don’t have a mathematical chance of the eight and that will be this weekend if they lose.
“I cant see how the Titans make the eight and that gives them the power to pull the trigger. If they don’t pull the trigger I think they will part ways.”
Gold Coast Titans linked with Origin assistant
While the Titans have been urged to chase a big fish, it appears Queensland coach Billy Slater won’t be available. Queensland Rugby League chief Ben Ikin says the Maroons are keen to extend Slater’s contract after his coaching masterclass helped deliver a famous Origin series victory.
In a move designed to help create a Maroons dynasty, it would also ward off interest from NRL clubs potentially looking to poach Slater, whose assistant Josh Hannay has been tipped to succeed under-fire Titans coach, Des Hasler.
Ikin’s comments come amid reports that Slater’s Maroons assistant Josh Hannay has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed under-fire Gold Coast head coach, Hasler. The veteran mentor reportedly has a clause in his contract meaning the Titans can sack him if they fail to finish the season inside the top-eight.
