Titans out to land a big fish

THE Titans have declared cash will be no object in their search for a new coach as the besieged club pledge to chase a more experienced mentor this time around.

Speaking one day after the club sacked head coach Garth Brennan amid a four-win NRL campaign, Titans executive chairman Dennis Watt said the club would spare no expense in the hunt for the franchise’s fourth coach.

Despite the Titans opting for the cut-price, rookie coaching option when they appointed Brennan in late 2017, Watt said money wouldn’t be a factor this time.

“We haven’t focused on that (money) too much but at the end of the day we want the best coach,” he said.

“We do need more NRL experience in the club.”

When asked whether the club would be prepared to throw cash at potential coaching candidates, Watt declared the Titans’ cheque book was open. “Absolutely,” he said.

“It is the most important decision we’re going to make in terms of the coach who’s going to take us forward and develop this playing group and also we want to set this club up as a place that people aspire to come to, whether that’s players or staff.”

The pledge to chase a more experienced candidate may open the door for new options.

Craig Fitzgibbon, Jason Demetriou, Jim Dymock and Ben and Shane Walker could be in the mix but the lack of success of Brennan may mean the club baulks at again rolling the dice on an untested mentor.

Among the more senior coaches mentioned as options include former Manly boss Geoff Toovey, axed Broncos and Panthers mentor Anthony Griffin and Trent Barrett.

While Queensland coach Kevin Walters has publicly ruled himself out of contention for the role, Watt said the former Bronco would be a front runner for the position.

“If Kevvie put his hand up to be in the running, he would

WE HAVEN’T FOCUSED ON THAT (MONEY) TOO MUCH BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE WANT THE BEST COACH CHAIRMAN DENNIS WATT

be a very strong candidate,” he said.

“I think he showed on Wednesday night in the Origin decider that he was able to extract more than anyone thought from that Queensland side.

“If Kevvie was willing and available and put his hand up then he’d be strongly in consideration.”

While Watt said that a number of “outstanding’’ candidates had already put their names forward for the position, he also didn’t rule out the Titans chasing established mentors.