Josh Hannay’s position as head coach at the Titans is safe, with Gold Coast bosses giving their new helmsman – yet to lead a game, mind you – that he won’t be replaced by Craig Bellamy in 2027.
In some of the stranger decisions from the Gold Coast club in recent years, it emerged they’d be speaking to the Storm supercoach to see if he’d take the reins in 2027 and see out his career with the Titans. Why it’s odd was that Hannay had literally just been appointed as the man to usher in a new era for the team, signed through to 2028.
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Titans leadership, including Rebecca Frizelle, who just took full control of the club, had been speaking to Bellamy for some months. The Melbourne coach had also recently bought property in the area, which kicked all the speculation into overdrive.
Reports had said Hannay had a “Bellamy clause” in his Glitter Strip deal that would have relegated him to assistant coach for as long as Bellamy wanted to lead the squad. (Truly, in this Sporting Base writer’s mind, one of the most desperate moves a struggling club has ever tried to pull, and at one of the worst times considering Hannay’s appointment.)
“Craig Bellamy’s legacy in the game speaks for itself,” Titans chairman Dennis Watt said.
“His interest in returning to Queensland is well known, and as a club committed to success and excellence, we had a responsibility to explore every possibility and secure the expertise of the most successful coach in the modern era.
“We make no apologies for pursuing the best. That’s what ambitious and successful organisations do.”
Bellamy is definitely coaching the Storm in 2026, his 24th straight season there, before weighing his options.
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Today, the Titans have made it clear Hannay is actually their man – though the Sporting Base has heard that backing only came after Bellamy called Frizelle to let her know he was staying at the Storm. The club’s bosses declared he has “the unqualified backing of club powerbrokers” and is expected to get whatever resources he needs to rebuild.
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“Throughout this process, Josh and his management have been fully informed and engaged,” Watt said. “Their professionalism and support for our decision in securing Craig Bellamy has been unwavering.”
“It’s great to officially get started with the Titans,” Hannay said from Parkwood headquarters on Friday. “We’ve assembled a talented and driven team, and I’m confident we’re ready to build on something truly special here on the Gold Coast.
“There’s a lot of hard work ahead, but we’re energised and completely united in our vision.”
