Johns had hand in bolter for the Titans
A GLOWING endorsement from Matthew Johns set the path for Garth Brennan’s rise from an NRL unknown to coach of the Gold Coast Titans.
Brennan is expected to be officially unveiled as Neil Henry’s successor at the Titans today.
The Penrith Panthers reserve grade coach trumped Broncos assistant Jason Demetriou during an exhaustive two- month process following Henry’s sacking in late August.
Brennan was considered an outside chance in a field of candidates that included NRL premiership winner Michael Maguire and league legends Laurie Daley and Kevin Walters.
Maguire, sacked by South Sydney last month, had discussions with prospective owner Darryl Kelly about the club’s future but was apprehensive.
Sacked Blues Origin coach Daley withdrew after one meeting and Walters chose to extend his tenure as Maroons coach.
As the big names dropped out of the race, Brennan’s stocks started to rise and Johns’ opinion was valued highly by former chair and prospective owner Rebecca Frizelle.
Frizelle, who currently has no formal role with the club, met with Brennan to explain Kelly and her plans for the Titans if they are successful in their ownership bid.
Brennan and Demetriou have similar coaching resumes with their success in reserve grade competitions but the Panthers applicant held an ace up his sleeve. Brennan has been involved with the development of some of Penrith’s rising stars, guiding the Panthers to the 2013 under- 20s premiership with a team that included James Roberts, Reagan Campbell- Gillard and Bryce Cartwright, now established NRL stars.
He went on to win the NSW Cup in 2014 and this year as head coach of the Panthers reserve grade team. With a smorgasbord of young talent at their disposal, the Titans wanted to ensure they had a coach with a proven track record with juniors.
“When you talk to the players who’ve spent time with Garth Brennan, they all say he is a coach they enjoy turning up each day to be coached by,” said Scott Sattler, an associate of Brennan through the Panthers.