Gold Coast Titans coach Garth Brennan admits NRL coaching takes its toll after Paul Green death

Ex-Titans coach was uncontactable for MONTHS after sacking and admits coaching ‘takes its toll’ in the wake of Paul Green’s tragic death

  • Sacked Titans coach Garth Brennan says he was in a dark place after separating from the club in 2019
  • Brennan says Green struggled to deal with two consecutive dismissals
  • Michael Maguire was the 40th coach to be sacked mid-season in the NRL era
  • For help in a crisis call 000. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 

Sacked Titans coach Garth Brennan says he struggled with private pain after his 2019 dumping – talking about the immense pressure as a club top dog following the tragic loss of ex-Cowboys coach Paul Green. 

The former NRL coach agreed to bare all after the devastating news of Green’s passing on Thursday morning. 

Ex-Titans coach Garth Brennan speaks at a post match conference after round eight against the Cowboys in 2019

Brennan was appointed Gold Coast head coach at the back end of 2017, having spent time within the lower ranks at Penrith. 

The 50-year-old spend 40 games at the helm of the developing club, losing 28 of those clashes which forced his early exit. 

After his dismissal, Brennan says he went through a tough few months where he was ‘uncontactable’.

‘There were things said about me that hurt. It was f***ing hard. I shut down and closed things off,’ Brennan told the Daily Telegraph. 

‘It’s tough … it takes it’s toll.

‘Greeny went through a lot of s**t when he lost the Cowboys and then the Maroons Origin job. 

Everyone has got an opinion but there’s a human element that we all have to think about.’

Brennan chats with former Titans golden boy Ash Taylor, who retired this year due to chronic injuries

Brennan chats with former Titans golden boy Ash Taylor, who retired this year due to chronic injuries

The Newcastle-born coach, who just left the Knights Head of Pathways role, says his previous role in the New South Wales Police force helped him deal with the media post-sacking.

Brennan escaped overseas with his wife to New Zealand to ignore rugby league for a while, as friends Gus Worland, Shane Flanagan and Ivan Cleary reached out in support.

2022 has been full of coach drama, featuring a barrage of behind the scenes buildup at Belmore, Wests Tigers and the Warriors.

Michael Maguire was the 40th coach to be sacked mid-season since the NRL’s 1998 inception – following the separation of Trent Barrett and Nathan Brown.

Paul Green was sacked from the Maroons top job after losing the 2021 Origin series 2-1

Paul Green was sacked from the Maroons top job after losing the 2021 Origin series 2-1 

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou with his daughter after Souths 26-0 drubbing over the Eels - Demetriou was a hot contender for the Titans role in 2019

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou with his daughter after Souths 26-0 drubbing over the Eels – Demetriou was a hot contender for the Titans role in 2019

Paul Green stepped down in 2020 as the Cowboys head having coached 167 games, after leading the club to four finals series in his six years at the club, which included their inaugural NRL premiership in 2015. 

Green was sacked from his one-year Maroons coaching gig in 2021, losing two of his three appearances. 

Brennan beat current Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou for the Titans role in 2018, while Michael Maguire and Laurie Daley were also in the hunt. 

For help in a crisis call 000. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 

SACKED COACHES SINCE GREEN

  • 2020: Paul Green (Cowboys) 
  • 2020: Paul McGregor (Dragons)
  • 2020: Anthony Seibold 2020 (Broncos)
  • 2021: John Morris 2021 (Sharks)
  • 2021: Paul Green (Maroons)
  • 2022: Trent Barrett (Bulldogs)
  • 2022: Nathan Brown (Warriors)
  • 2022: Michael Maguire (Tigers)

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