A timeline of Des Hasler’s time as head coach of the Gold Coast Titans NRL team
Contract backflips, court sagas and a failing fullback experiment have headlined a tumultuous tenure as Titans head coach for Des Hasler. We take a look back at the troublesome timeline of his Titans journey so far.
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Contract backflips, court sagas and a failing fullback experiment have headlined a tumultuous tenure as Titans head coach for Des Hasler.
The man who has won two NRL premierships as a coach was brought in on a three-year deal from 2024 to bring consistent high level performances that were meant to lift Gold Coast to finals success.
Instead the experienced league figure has been unable to unlock the potential of the club’s stars while languishing at the bottom of the ladder.
With reports suggesting Hasler will retire at the end of the 2025 as part of a mutual agreement with Gold Coast, we take a look back at the troublesome timeline of his time at the Titans so far.
June 21, 2023:
The Gold Coast Titans announce the shock axing of coach Justin Holbrook while confirming a three-year deal for premiership-winning mentor Des Hasler.
It followed a secret two-week mission by Titans CEO Steve Mitchell and chair Dennis Watt who flew to Sydney to deliver their pitch.
Titans senior adviser Mal Meninga was in the dark and voiced his disappointment at being left out of discussions while Justin Holbrook said he was gutted by the decision.
It prompted Meninga to suggest he would exit the Titans.
Mitchell said at the time the Titans were not satisfied with the team’s progress under Holbrook as the club chases two NRL premierships by 2030.
“Our program’s not achieving what we want it to achieve, nor is it fulfilling the promises we made to our rugby league community,” he said.
“We think we need a winner in that (coaching) place and someone who’s got the IP (intellectual property) and has been to grand finals. The time is now.”
August 12, 2023:
Hasler celebrates his first win as a coach, securing the signatures of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita in the biggest contract coup in the club’s history.
The Titans have staved off poaching threats by brokering an extraordinary $15 million package to keep Fa’asuamaleaui and Fifita on the Gold Coast.
Fa’asuamaleaui’s deal was to the end of 2033 while Fifita inked a new three-year deal to remain at the club until the end of 2026.
October 5, 2023:
It’s revealed Hasler is suing Manly over his termination almost a year after the Sea Eagles sacked him.
Civil proceedings commence in the NSW Supreme Court over his treatment by Manly.
It is understood Manly’s lawyers and Hasler’s legal team had been in regular contact in the hope of settling the matter out-of-court, before those conversations ultimately broke down.
November 3, 2023:
Hasler fronts the media on the Gold Coast and declares his greatest challenge was to get consistency of performance from the team.
Hasler said the roster and the club’s current position led him to accepting the coaching position while saying “footy is the easy part” of the role.
Immortal Mal Meninga quietly severs ties with the Titans following a five-year relationship, months after being frozen out of the decision to axe Holbrook.
April 14, 2024:
Gold Coast endure a shaky start to Hasler’s tenure, losing the first five matches of the 2024 season.
Among the results are a 28-4 loss to St George Illawarra in round 1, a 32-0 loss to Canterbury and a 30-14 loss to the Dolphins.
May 9, 2024:
Gold Coast are left shocked by Fifita’s decision to sign a four-year deal with the Sydney Roosters worth $3.3 million
Fifita activated a contract clause to leave the 16th ranked Titans, after he signed a three-year deal just last year, although the final two years of his deal were under a player option.
It’s a huge blow to a Titans side that is struggling early under Hasler.
May 15, 2024:
David Fifita stuns the Roosters by backflipping on the deal, re-signing with the Titans.
Fifita’s team informed the Roosters that he was having doubts about his decision to join them and they subsequently pulled their offer to the Maroons enforcer.
“Despite his management making the initial approach to the club and Fifita personally informing the Sydney Roosters’ chairman and head coach of his intent to join the club last Thursday, Fifita has since expressed doubt about his decision,” the Roosters said in a statement.
“Consequently, the club has elected to withdraw its offer with view that it is in the Roosters’ best interests. The club wishes Fifita all the best.”
September 3, 2024:
Gold Coast ends the season 14th on the ladder with eight wins and 16 losses.
It comes a year after the Titans finished in the same position with nine wins despite sacking Holbrook midway through the season.
Fifita started on the bench for most of the season while Hasler is yet to find the right balance while playing fullbacks AJ Brimson, Keano Kini and Jayden Campbell.
Mitchell backs Hasler, saying the playing group is maturing, it has genuine leadership and an apex-level coach who knows how to win.
The CEO says the team is playing differently under Hasler and just needs to change the outcome of scores.
November 8, 2024:
Hasler settles his legal stoush with Manly out of court.
The club reportedly originally offered Hasler a $565,000 settlement after parting ways on rocky terms but he was seeking double that amount.
The end of the saga and the distractions that have come with it are welcomed by Gold Coast.
April 29, 2025:
Hasler sends shockwaves through the NRL by dropping Fifita back to the Queensland Cup for Magic Round.
Fifita played for the Ipswich Jets amid reports he was axed after requesting a shift to the left edge where teammate Beau Fermor was in good form.
It comes as the Titans sit 14th on the ladder with just two wins from seven games and straight off the back of a 50-18 loss to North Queensland.
June 6, 2025:
Titans co-owner Bec Frizelle declares at the Titans NRLW team launch - amid speculation about Hasler’s future - that top brass at the club are united in support of Hasler and notes he has a contract through till 2026. It comes soon after it is revealed Hasler’s contract includes a clause which can see the club part ways with him before histerm expires at the end of next year if the side doesn’t make the top eight. Rumours are rife about about the future of the three-time premiership winning Hasler after the Titans male side’s slumping results put them at the bottom of the ladder.
“Des will be with us for 2026 as his contract states,” Frizelle said.
July 8, 2025:
The Titans announce an ownership change with long-time benefactor Darryl Kelly selling his half-share in the club.
The Frizelle family assume full ownership of the franchise after seven years of co-ownership with Kelly. They purchased the club in 2017.
Kelly has had a lifelong involvement with the game and it’s doubtful the club would have survived difficult times without his financial generosity and administrative skills.
Kelly will remain on the Titans board.
July 9, 2025:
Reports land claiming Hasler will retire at the end of the season.
News Corp journalist Michael Carayannis on Wednesday morning told SEN Breakfast the truth is that Hasler is walking away after reaching a mutual understanding.
“It’ll be called a retirement but it’s a mutual understanding,” he said.
“The Gold Coast Titans can call it whatever they like but Des won’t be the coach next season. It’s been an absolute failure.”
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Originally published as A timeline of Des Hasler’s time as head coach of the Gold Coast Titans NRL team
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