Starting in 2024, Des Hasler will take over as the Gold Coast Titans’ head coach and here is all you need to know about him and his coaching record
Gold Coast is confident that new coach Des Hasler has what it takes to turn around their NRL fortunes, but they’re keeping quiet about whether star halfback Ben Hunt might be the missing link to a premiership.
The Titans fired Justin Holbrook on Thursday with immediate effect after a poor start to 2023 and announced that dual premiership winner coach Hasler would take over as head coach starting with the following season. For the remainder of 2023, Jim Lenihan, a current Titans assistant, will serve as the interim head coach.
Who is Des Hasler new coach of Gold Coast Titans, coaching record stats, wife, daughter, salary, net worth
As a Sea Eagles player, Hasler played 257 games over 12 seasons for Manly, winning premierships in 1987 and 1996 and has coached over 400 NRL games.
Hasler returned to Manly in 2019 and coached the Sea Eagles for the past four seasons, taking his career coaching tally beyond 450 games in 2022.
#BREAKING: In a bombshell announcement, Gold Coast Titans head coach Justin Holbrook has today agreed to part ways with the club, effective immediately.
Premiership-winning coach Des Hasler will join the Gold Coast Titans as head coach for the 2024 season and beyond.#9News pic.twitter.com/uSmrowPN0S
— 9News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) June 22, 2023
Hasler, 62, has coached in five grand finals since 2004, including stints with Manly and Canterbury. With the Sea Eagles, he has won the 2008 and 2011 championship games. The Titans, who have never had an NRL premiership-winning coach and have only appeared in finals twice in the last ten years, will benefit greatly from the addition.
The Titans have struggled with defensive grit under Holbrook, but Hasler’s teams have been recognised for it. Hasler’s appointment comes after he withdrew from consideration to lead St George Illawarra earlier this season when the troubled joint-venture team was looking for a new coach.
🚨 HUGE news out of the @GCTitans 🚨
The club has parted ways with Justin Holbrook effective immediately.
Des Hasler will replace him from 2024.
MORE: https://t.co/78h3qVRaGh pic.twitter.com/nd5jbSBNdN
— Fox League (@FOXNRL) June 22, 2023
Who is Des Hasler?
Des Hasler, a coach and former player in Australian rugby league, was born on February 16, 1961. He has a strong coaching background, having previously worked for Manly and helped the team win two premierships. Hasler’s coaching career also includes time spent with the Canterbury Bulldogs until he returned to Manly in 2019.
Hasler is listed among the 16 head coaches of the current National Rugby League, along with the dates of their appointments and prior accomplishments. With his involvement in the NRL dating back to 1987, South Sydney Rabbitohs head coach Wayne Bennett holds the distinction of being the league’s longest-tenured coach.
Who is Des Hasler married to and how many children does he have?
Des Hasler is married to Chris Hasler, although there isn’t much known about his personal life. Even though particular information about their family has not been made public, the couple is parents to children however how many kids they have is unknown.
Des Hasler’s contract details and salary
Des Hasler has had success while working with Manly, and the club is reportedly considering giving him a new $3 million contract that would keep him in that position through 2024. Hasler initially accepted a pay cut to join Manly, but his impact on the team has been significant, leading to hopeful rumours about his future with the Sea Eagles.
Des Hasler’s net worth
Des Hasler’s net worth is thought to be in the range of $1 million and $5 million. This number is a result of his productive rugby playing and coaching career.