Hannay to replace Hasler as Titans coach

Cronulla and Queensland Origin assistant coach Josh Hannay will take charge of the Titans next season after being appointed to take over from Des Hasler as part of re-shaped football department.

Considered one of the best up-and-coming coaches in the game, Hannay has built an impressive resume that includes experience as an assistant to Billy Slater’s Maroons side that has win three of the past four Origin series.

Hannay will join the Titans from the Sharks, who have played finals every year since the 45-year-old joined as an assistant coach in 2021.

The appointment of the former Cowboys and Sharks star follows the announcement that Des Hasler would leave the Gold Coast coaching job after their final match against Wests Tigers on September 6.

Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said Hannay is excited to begin his head coaching journey on the Gold Coast.

"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.

"He is highly regarded with players and staff who have worked with him across his coaching roles to date, speaking to his ability to communicate and deliver a winning game plan.

"Josh is excited by our squad, having worked with a number of our players through his time with the Queensland Origin and Emerging Origin camps.

"We have been highly impressed by Josh and his vision for this team, 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 on for the next three seasons, with his time on the Gold Coast to begin after Cronulla’s 2025 finals campaign.

Scott Sattler will also be welcomed back to the club, with the Titans inaugural general manager of football to join as director of football (NRL).

Mitchell said the former premiership winner will play an important role in driving the standards required for success within the high-performance program.

"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.

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"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.

"Post-football Scott has been successful in both business and media, and he's got a great understanding of not just the needs of the football program but the business more broadly."

Sattler will relinquish his current roles before joining the Titans, including his on-air position with SEN and he will step away from any player agency commitments he has previously had.

Anthony Laffranchi has been appointed as head of recruitment.

A former representative player at both Origin and International level and one of the Titans foundation players, Laffranchi is passionate about the club and its success.

Mitchell said he will compliment Sattler, with the two to bring a wealth of footballing knowledge to the NRL program and its pathways.

"Like we've mentioned with Scott, Anthony's career was also built around effort and hard work," Mitchell said.

"Anthony is held in high regard. He is a person of great integrity and is a great clubman.

"His overall experience across the football department is extensive, however his desire is to have his fingerprints on shaping our roster, bringing balance to our list and making the changes needed for success.

"We know we have some refinements to make to our roster, and we are confident that Anthony has the skills and the character and support to be successful in the role.

"Our owners are clear about the strong character-based people they want leading the football club, and these three appointments are the first steps in that process."

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