The Aquis Gold Coast Titans is pleased to announce Craig Hodges will join the club as an assistant coach for 2017.
After helping current North Queensland Cowboys coach, Paul Green, to back-to-back 2011-12 Queensland Cup titles with Wynnum Manly, Hodges went on to coach Norths Devils before taking charge of the Broncos under 20s from 2013-2016.
Working with the club’s best young talent including Titans 2016 NRL Rookie of the Year, Ash Taylor, Hodges led Brisbane’s youngsters to the NYC grand final in 2014, with a dramatic comeback against the Warriors falling just short in the decider.
The 43-year-old will take up the post left vacant by former Titans assistant coach, Rohan Smith, who was released earlier this year to take up the head coaching position at Bradford Bulls.
Hodges will join Terry Matterson as an assistant, with Ben Woolf remaining as Titans head under-20s coach and Jamie McCormack the under-18s coach and head of the elite player development unit.
Hodges says he’s very pleased to be joining the Titans.
“Linking with Neil and Terry and the rest of the Titans coaching team will be a great new challenge,” Hodges said.
“It’s an exciting time for the club and there’s a number of exciting young players in the squad along with some genuine stars so it will be great to be a part of that for 2017.”
Titans Head Coach Neil Henry said Hodges would bring a wealth of experience to the club’s coaching staff.
“Being a Northern Rivers product, Craig has helped in the development of elite players from around our region for a long time,” Henry said.
“Ash Taylor is a great example of a player who was able to develop his game to a new level while Craig oversaw the Broncos NYC side, and there are many others.
“He is very well connected to the rugby league community on the Gold Coast and will be a great fit for this club.”
Titans CEO, Graham Annesley said the club is very pleased to have Hodges on board.
“It’s great that Craig has agreed to join us, and will be here for pre-season with the squad,” Annesley said.
“He has established himself as a key figure of any coaching team he has been involved with over recent years and that has led to on-field success.
“He will complement the rest of our coaching staff and we are very pleased to have Craig joining us ahead of season 2017.”
The Titans senior playing squad will return for pre-season testing later this week with the first official training session to take place next Monday at the club’s new high performance facility at Parkwood International.
