Whilst we are yet to see an NRL coach officially get sacked in 2025 there is a sense that it is only a matter of time as the pressure is mounting on a number of head coaches up and down the country. There are already reports that there have been handshake agreements confirmed for Des Hasler to be moving away from the Titans at the end of the season, plus Adam O’Brien is under fire in Newcastle. In North Queensland Todd Payten is also attracting attention for the wrong reasons as his Cowboys side continue to struggle in 2025.

Des Hasler appears to be the latest in a long line of head coaching casualties on the Gold Coast as he is set to depart the club at the end of the season. Currently sitting last on the ladder, there is no denying the the Titans have been the worst performing side in the NRL this year. With only 4 wins to show for their efforts they are the favourites to take the wooden spoon and with the depth and talent they have in their squad it only makes sense for the club to be looking in a new direction. The trouble is finding a coach better than Des Hasler on the open market.

Adam O’Brien is another coach under all sorts of pressure despite a fairly successful record during his time in the Hunter. He has been able to steer the team into the top eight more often than not and probably deserves more credit than he has been given. However, with the club in the middle of a rebuild they are clearly looking to climb into the top four and become genuine premiership contenders. They have made some huge decisions recently with their recruitment and will be doing everything in their power to retain Kalyn Ponga. If they are to sack Adam O’Brien they need to be confident that the next head coach will keep Ponga happy and get the most out of new recruit Dylan Brown.

Todd Payten has run hot and cold up in North Queensland, but unfortunately his team has lacked consistency far too frequently. They have a strong mix of experience and youth throughout their squad and on paper they should easily be in the top half of the ladder. Unfortunately, they find themselves in a position where they need to go on almighty run to turn their season around. Failing to do so could cost Todd Payten his head coaching role with the Cowboys as they look to go in another direction that can get the most out of their developing squad.

Whilst plenty of speculation in recent weeks and months has been on the future of Benji Marshall as head coach he appears to have weathered the storm and attention is shifting to head coaches at other clubs. Along with those mentioned above Anthony Seibold, Shane Flanagan and Craig Fitzgibbon will all come under pressure if they fail to get the most out of their teams in the second half of the season.