The NRL wants to settle another expansion project around Christmas, as a Toowoomba bid gathers momentum for the competition's 20th licence.
The Courier Mail reports the group is preparing to approach South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett to lead the proposed club.
Bennett has coached seven first-grade premierships and was born in Allora, in the Southern Downs near Toowoomba.
The proposal could pair him with son-in-law Ben Ikin, a leading bid figure with QRL chief executive and Brisbane Broncos head-of-football experience.
Spokesperson Mark Mason told News Corp: "Wayne Bennett is absolutely on the radar,"
Mason said the group would invest significantly in its football department and, if successful, discuss with Bennett what role he wanted and how to draw on his experience during the club's establishment years.
Bennett remains contracted to South Sydney, with no firm plans beyond that deal.
"I'm contracted to Souths and beyond that, I have no firm plans," he told the publication.