Gold Coast Titans receiving applications for new head coach after Garth Brennan sacking

It could be the most challenging yet most rewarding role of your coaching career. The chance to work with a rugby league legend and save an NRL club from the brink. The Gold Coast Titans are now taking applications.

No one knows who should replace Garth Brennan. Image: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

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Less than 24 hours after the Gold Coast announced they were parting ways with coach Garth Brennan, the club was swarmed with resumes for potential new mentors.

But one such resume has yet to appear — that of Queensland coach Kevin Walters.

The Titans have begun their recruitment drive for a new head coach following the fallout of Mal Meninga’s mid-season report.

A number of candidates have already privately put their hand up for the job, with the Gold Coast board considering each and every one.

Assistant coaches Craig Hodges and Luke Burt have taken the reins of the club for the rest of the year, with “strong support” from head of performance and culture Meninga.

Kevin Walters’ future remains in doubt. Image: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Walters remains in the sights of Titans powerbrokers but the 51-year-old declared his focus was still solely on the Queensland Origin team, “at this stage”.

Executive chairman Dennis Watt said Walters would make a strong case to be the Gold Coast’s new head coach.

“Already, there have been a number of approaches either directly or through agents, confidentially putting forward some strongly credentialed candidates,” Watt said.

“We will work our way through that.

“Clearly if Kevvie was to put his hand up to be in the running, he would be a very strong candidate.”

Mal Meninga will oversee the Titans’ coaching staff. Image: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Walters has won two of his four Origin series as head coach and successfully blooded 21 debutants during his 12-game tenure.

Watt said his Origin experience would be a huge benefit to the Gold Coast club, now facing the prospect of becoming this year’s wooden-spooners.

“He’s a strong character,” he said. “The way he has led his life has been quite inspirational.

“He showed on Wednesday night in the Origin decider that he was able to extract more than anyone thought in the Queensland side.

“For them to still be in the running at the end of the game, it was an outstanding coaching effort.

“If Kevvie was willing and available and prepared to put his hand up, he’d be strongly, strongly in consideration.

“I’m sure if he was really interested, someone would let us know.”

It’s another blow for long-suffering Titans fans. Image: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Souths assistant Jason Demetriou and Ipswich co-coaches Ben and Shane Walker were interviewed two years ago by Titans bosses, only to lose out to Brennan.

Sacked Panthers coach Anthony Griffin, Roosters assistant Adam O’Brien and St Helens mentor Justin Holbrook have also been mentioned.

Watt said the club was prepared to throw money at securing a successful new coach.

“Whatever we need to do to get the best candidate, that’s what we will do,” he said.

“Absolutely (we will throw as much money as we can).

“It’s the most important decision we’re going to make in terms of the coach who can take us forward and develop this playing group and help set this place up as a club people aspire to go to.”