Former North Queensland mentor Neil Henry signs with Gold Coast Titans as assistant coach

THE Titans have netted a huge off-field signing, with former Cowboys coach Neil Henry to join the Gold Coast side.

THE Titans have netted a huge off-field signing, with former Cowboys coach Neil Henry to join the Gold Coast next year as an assistant to John Cartwright.

The appointment of Henry comes days after Cartwright rejected a four-year, $2.5 million approach from wooden-spooners Parramatta.

Henry, a former assistant to Queensland coach Mal Meninga, will link with the Titans on a year-by-year basis and while his main role will be tactical, he will also oversee the development of the club’s fringe first graders.

Henry will have a get-out clause in his contract allowing him to sign with a rival club if he is offered a head coaching role.

It is a huge coup for the Titans, who were not confident of luring Henry into an assistant’s role after he was sacked by the Cowboys in July.

Titans CEO Graham Annesley would not confirm the appointment of Henry on Friday night, but said he was hopeful there would be "some announcements in the near future".

John Cartwright sits on the sideline at a Titans game. Picture: Adam Head

"It’s common knowledge that there’s been a review going on for some time to provide John Cartwright with some additional support for next season," he said.

"The process started before my arrival and we’re hopeful there’ll be some announcements in the near future.

"There’s been a comprehensive review of the support system around John and hopefully these appointments will give him the level of support he needs."