Successful Penrith Panthers Intrust Super Premiership coach Garth Brennan has been named the new coach of the Gold Coast Titans.
Brennan led the Panthers to both the ISP title and an Intrust Super State Championship win this season and has been widely regarded as one of the best coaches outside the NRL for some time.
Brennan was named under-20s coach of the year at Penrith in 2012 and led that team to a National Youth Competition title in 2013, before winning titles with the Panthers' ISP team in 2014 and 2017.
He takes on the Titans role after Neil Henry was axed in August.
"I'm really thrilled about the opportunity I have now at the Gold Coast Titans," Brennan said.
"I'm excited by the current roster and quality of group that I am going to take control of.
"I really want to focus on developing from within, that's what I believe is my strength. It's what I take away from my two previous clubs, I want to work closely with the individuals, I want to get to know them and work together to build that culture that everybody talks about.
"My message will be pretty simple. I want the group to train, play hard and I want every team to know that they have played a tough Titans team."
Titans CEO Graham Annesley said the club's selection committee unanimously supported Brennan's appointment.
"Garth has definitely served his rugby league 'apprenticeship' and thoroughly deserves this opportunity," Annesley said.
"He not only has an impressive coaching record, he is also a very impressive person who will add a lot to the culture of the club. We are extremely pleased to have him on board.
"It is an exciting period for the club, and with a new ownership model also imminent, we can't wait for the 2018 season to get underway with Garth as our head coach."