The Gold Coast Titans have confirmed that 2025 will mark the end of Des Hasler’s tenure as head coach, paving the way for a new chapter under incoming coach Josh Hannay from 2026.
Hasler’s time at the Titans was underpinned by a wealth of coaching experience, having reached five grand finals and secured two premierships prior to joining the club. In a major milestone during the 2025 season, he became just the sixth coach in NRL history to notch up 500 games, joining an elite group in the game’s coaching ranks.
As part of a broader restructure, the Titans announced via an official statement on their website that Hannay will take over the reins from Hasler next season. Hannay will lead a re-shaped football department aimed at bringing sustained success to the Gold Coast.
Widely regarded as one of the most promising coaching prospects in the NRL, Hannay brings with him a strong coaching pedigree built over recent years. His credentials include a key assistant coaching role with Billy Slater’s Queensland Origin side, which has won three of the last four State of Origin series.
He joins the Titans from the Cronulla Sharks, where he has served as an assistant since 2021. During his time with Cronulla, the club has made the finals every season.
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said Hannay is well-positioned to succeed in his first NRL head coaching role.
“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.”
Mitchell added that Hannay’s relationships with key Titans players, formed through his involvement in the Queensland Origin and Emerging Origin camps, will be valuable as he steps into the top job.
“We have been highly impressed by Josh and his vision for this team,” Mitchell said.
“However, out of respect to both Josh and the Cronulla Sharks, we will wait until he has finished with his current role before he speaks to Titans Members and fans directly.”
Hannay has signed a three-year contract and will begin his tenure at the Titans following Cronulla’s 2025 finals campaign.
As part of the club’s off-field changes, Scott Sattler will return to the Titans in the role of director of football (NRL). Sattler, who was the inaugural general manager of football at the Titans and a premiership-winning player, will be tasked with helping to lift the club’s high-performance standards.
“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 someone who lived and breathed these during his own career.”
Sattler, a Gold Coast local, has a long-standing relationship with the club, having helped build its inaugural roster in 2007. He will step away from his current media commitments and player agency roles before taking up his new position.
Joining Sattler in the football department revamp is former Titans foundation player Anthony Laffranchi, who has been named head of recruitment. A former State of Origin and international representative, Laffranchi brings extensive experience and strong ties to the club.
Mitchell said Laffranchi’s personal qualities and football acumen will be central to the club’s list management strategy.
“Like we’ve mentioned with Scott, Anthony’s career was also built around effort and hard work,” Mitchell said.
“His overall experience across the football department is extensive. His desire is to have his fingerprints on shaping our roster, bringing balance to our list and making the changes needed for success.”
Mitchell also emphasised that the appointments of Hannay, Sattler and Laffranchi reflect the owners’ vision of having strong, character-driven leaders at the helm of the Titans’ football operations.
“Our owners are clear about the strong character based people they want leading the football club,” he said.
“These three appointments are the first steps in that process.”
As the Titans look to the future, the club is banking on fresh leadership and a renewed football strategy to turn potential into results.
