Kevin Walters has agreed to take over as head coach of the Gold Coast Titans, replacing Des Hasler amid a turbulent season that has seen the club slump to 16th on the NRL ladder. The move ends days of speculation surrounding Walters’ next step and marks a bold bid by the Titans to revive their 2025 campaign.
Walters, the former Brisbane Broncos coach, has remained tight-lipped in recent weeks when quizzed about his coaching future, particularly when linked to the embattled Titans. While he had previously called the speculation “disrespectful” to Hasler, it is now understood that advanced talks had been ongoing behind the scenes with the Titans’ management, culminating in an agreement reached late last night.
“I’ve always had a passion for coaching and developing players, and the opportunity to take on a new challenge with the Titans is one I’m ready for,” Walters said in a brief statement. “This club has so much potential and talent. I’m looking forward to helping them turn things around.”
The decision to part ways with Hasler comes after a horror start to the season, with the Titans registering just two wins from their opening eight matches. Hasler’s position became increasingly untenable as the losses piled up and pressure mounted from both within the club and the fanbase. Despite being just one year into a three-year deal, performance-based clauses in Hasler’s contract allowed the Titans to act swiftly and avoid a financial payout.
Sources close to the club say the “top-eight clause” in Hasler’s contract stipulated that failure to qualify for the finals this year would nullify the obligation to retain him in 2026. Further provisions also allowed the club to terminate the contract if the team became mathematically incapable of making the top eight—a scenario that is rapidly approaching, with the team needing to win 12 of their remaining 14 games to remain in contention.
The club’s board met on Thursday morning, and following a unanimous vote, opted to activate the clause and bring in new leadership.
“This has been a very difficult decision, but it was made in the best interests of the club’s long-term vision,” said Titans CEO Steve Mitchell. “Des is a respected coach and we thank him for his efforts, but results haven’t met the standards we expect. We believe Kevin brings the experience, passion, and strategic insight needed to get the best out of our playing group.”
Walters’ appointment is expected to inject new energy into the struggling club, who have been plagued by injuries to key players. Kiwi Test fullback Keano Kini has been ruled out for the season, while David Fifita’s delayed return from ankle surgery has added to the team’s woes. Defensive issues have also been a hallmark of the Titans’ struggles, with the club conceding 250 points so far—second only to the last-placed Eels.
For Walters, the move to the Gold Coast marks a new chapter after his recent exit from the Broncos, where he helped rebuild the club into a finals contender. His emphasis on player development, cultural strength, and attacking footy is expected to resonate with a Titans squad hungry for direction and stability.
The transition is expected to take effect immediately, with Walters to take charge of training ahead of next week’s clash. Assistant coaches will remain in their current roles as part of a transitional period, although a broader review of the football department is likely in the coming months.
With the season still salvageable, Titans fans will hope Walters’ arrival marks the start of a long-overdue turnaround.
