PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 19: Kevin Walters, head coach of the Maroons during a Queensland Maroons State of Origin training session at HBF Park on June 19, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
Queensland coach Kevin Walters isn't interested in taking up the vacant role at the Gold Coast Titans, and is instead focusing all of his energy on the Maroons' 2020 State of Origin campaign.
Walters recently oversaw the Maroons' second consecutive series loss, and has been continually linked to the Titans, with speculation intensifying after Garth Brennan and the Gold Coast parted ways on Sunday.
However, Walters spoke to Fox Sports on Sunday about the vacant role at the Titans, and says it's not one that he's got his eye on.
“I’m still committed to Queensland for the next 18 months and that’s what my heart is telling me,” Walters told Fox Sports.
The Maroons coach, in fact, ruled himself out of any NRL job, suggesting his prime focus is on Origin.
“Not at the moment [would I take an NRL job], as I say, the Origin consumes me, it’s only just finished as we know, and I love the opportunity that I’ve been given to coach Queensland,” he said.
“I know we can get back on top and I want to be apart of that and that’ll be my drive for the next 12 months.”
Walters did comment on the Titans as a club, and believes this next appointment is a crucial one.
“They need to take their time to get the right person in that position. It’s a big role for someone, it’ll be a good role for someone coming in,” he said.
“They’ve battled all along, since their inception way back in 1988 to get a footprint on the Gold Coast. it’s a tough one but it’ll also be a good opportunity for a coach coming in. Who that is, I’ll leave that up to the Titans.”