Which is why he feels equipped to turn around the fortunes of the one currently ranked the worst.

The Gold Coast, through various iterations including the Seagulls, Chargers and now the Titans, have yet to secure a foothold in the region, prompting chairman Dennis Watt to proclaim Holbrook's appointment as the franchise's "last stand" to get it right.

It is a huge task for a rookie NRL coach, albeit an impeccably credentialed one.

"I'm not there to say I'm the saviour for everything, but I'm excited at the opportunity to help them improve," Holbrook, a Group Seven premiership winner with the Bulldogs in 2004 and 2005, said.

"I understand all the negative feedback around it because they're not having the best season.

"For me, once I'd spoken to Mal (Meninga), heard him talk about the club and how the owners have got the front office right, there are lots of positives for me.

"I know it's a big job and they're not in the best place.

"If they were, they wouldn't need a new coach.

"I wasn't the greatest player, that's obvious, but you learn from your coaches and other players when you're playing.

"For my own coaching, the path I've taken proves I'm ready.

"I feel I've made all the right moves and done a good job at each stage to give myself the opportunity I've got now at the Titans."

Holbrook's playing career - as a halfback with Newcastle, Penrith and the Roosters - consisted of just 17 first-grade games.

"I knew what to do but I couldn't do it quick enough," he quipped.

During his playing days he was coached by the likes of Warren Ryan, Ricky Stuart and Royce Simmons.

But it was his time on the coaching staff at the Tricolours - after successfully overseeing the Bulldogs, Dragons and Eels lower-grade teams - that most shaped his coaching philosophy.

Holbrook became Trent Robinson's right-hand man and, in spending time in the Super League, trod a similar path to an NRL head coaching gig.

It remains to be seen whether he will enjoy any of Robinson's success, but the departing St Helens mentor knows he wouldn't have got the opportunity without him.

"The big impact on my coaching career was Trent at the Roosters," he said.

"Prior to that I'd always been a head coach in lower grades so you're in charge of everything in those roles.

"Then all of a sudden you're an NRL assistant only and you're looking at only certain areas of the game and the detail very closely.

"Trent really challenged me in those departments and I've obviously learned a lot under Trent and the other coaches at the Roosters.

"Trent was a massive part in developing me further, getting me confident to come over to England and be a head coach in the Super League.

"Going OK over here has given me the opportunity to make that next step.

"It's the reason why I want to go to the Gold Coast, it's where I want to coach."

For many, the Titans coaching job is a poisoned chalice.

Not one of the coaches fired from the franchise has ever become a head coach elsewhere.

However, Holbrook views the club as a sleeping giant.

"Absolutely," he said.

"That's why I want to be a part of that.

"Rugby league is massive in that area and we should be making that flourish.

"Everything is in place there, we just need to get the first team firing and I'm excited about the opportunity to play my part in it."

There are many challenges awaiting Holbrook when he finishes his commitments with St Helens.

There is a roster that requires an overhaul, a fan base that needs to be mobilised and a brand that needs to be salvaged after a wretched run on and off the field.

The chances of making that happen could hinge on whether Holbrook can finally bring the best out of troubled halfback Ash Taylor.

"He's an exciting young player, I coached the Junior Kangaroos the other year and he was the halfback, I think he got man of the match that day," Holbrook said.

"I know how good a player he is and hopefully he can get back to that."