John Morris has emerged as a candidate to lead Castleford Tigers after leaving the Wests Tigers coaching staff earlier this month.
Castleford have been without a head coach since Ryan Carr's departure in August.
The former St George Illawarra Dragons assistant was suspended before an internal investigation, then dismissed over personal matters away from the sport.
That turmoil has complicated arrangements for incoming players as the club prepares for the 2027 season.
Tyrell Sloan is understood to have chosen Castleford partly to reunite with Morris, his former assistant coach.
Eric Smith, Paul Rowley and Jamie Langley are also among those shortlisted for the position.
Morris played 300 first-grade matches during a 14-year NRL career with Cronulla Sharks and South Sydney Rabbitohs.
He later coached with both clubs before spending three seasons on staff at Wests Tigers.
Castleford's recruitment from the NRL includes Sloan's Dragons teammates Damien Cook and Mathew Feagai.
The eventual appointment will shape the club's next phase and determine who takes charge of the Tigers in 2027.