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Parker: This won't be the end of Des Hasler's coaching career
Corey Parker • August 25th, 2025 2:44 pm
What comes next for Des Hasler after the veteran NRL coach was unceremoniously sacked by the Gold Coast Titans with just two matches remaining this season?
The 64-year-old will coach out the season before vacating his role with the Titans all but certain to finish the season with the wooden spoon having claimed just five victories this year.
Will he be approached by another club? Was there any truth to the retirement whispers earlier this season? COuld be look at a role in representative footy instead?
With so many questions not only about Hasler's future but also the direction the Titans need to go in and rumoured new coach Josh Hannay, we asked Corey Parker for his thoughts in the immediate aftermath of the sacking on Monday.
Should Hasler or the club be holding a press conference?
I don’t think Des has to front the media given the club has decided to let him go. I think somebody has to be it the chairman or the owners. They must tell fans ‘this is where we’re at and what we’re doing’ and move forward.
The timing of it is a bit strange.
If they knew six weeks ago he wasn’t going to be the man moving forward, then the question poses itself is why they wait until now? The only people that can answer that is the ones making the decisions.
For me, if you make a decision, you move someone on.
Is this the end of Hasler’s coaching career?
Only Des can answer that, but I would say no. he was won multiple competitions, he’s been at multiple clubs. It's bit like a player, do you still have that drive, that passion, that competitiveness to go to work every day?
Rugby league is funny, it’s the big cycle that just keeps going around and around. We've seen people get off it and get on it and get off it and get on it.
Look at Kevin Walters, he was sacked by the Broncos now he’s the Australia coach.
It's just how, how it all works, you know. So, if he wants to continue, I've got no doubt he will.
Could he coach the NSW Blues?
Absolutely, why couldn’t he? It’s a lesser role but we’re talking about unique people -sportspeople. Player or coach, they’re unique individuals.
If you have the drive and passion, then he will continue. But if the flame has gone… who knows only he can make that call. NSW could be an option moving forward.
Are there any clubs out there that would want Des?
Yes – absolutely, he’s got over 500 games - that experience is invaluable but the first question that needs to be asked is do you still want to coach?
If that answer is yes, well, then no doubt there's some people out there lining up for it.
Where to now for the Gold Coast Titans?
First and foremost, the Titans have to solidify what their playing group is doing.
They’ve been through a few coaches over the last few years. They have put steps in recent times to decide what their club looks like.
They need to get to the off-season which is in two weeks’ time, take a breath and see what the dust is settled. But if they chose to move Des on today, I think they'll have in mind where they want to go and what they want to do otherwise, why would you do it today?
You'd wait two more weeks and then do it over the summer, when things are a bit quieter.
Thoughts on the appointment of Josh Hannay?
His name's been thrown around for a while now in different circles and he's been offered an assistant role at other clubs which he's turned down because he wants to be a head coach.
I've never been coached by Josh Hannah, but all reports from what I've seen and heard, this is a role he could facilitate.
It's an interesting one; do you just go at the first opportunity? You’ve got to work out what fits best for you.
Cameron Ciraldo was shopped around for a few different clubs and he held off before siding with the Bulldogs. So, every individual is different, but the one thing that Josh Hannah is is a Queenslander and the Titans have never had a Queenslander coach their team.
