Essendon Interim Coach Dean Solomon’s Position on the Vacant Coaching Role
Dean Solomon, the interim coach of Essendon, has not officially ruled himself out of contention for the vacant senior coaching position following the dismissal of Brad Scott. The Bombers are currently searching for a new head coach, and Solomon’s involvement in the role has sparked considerable speculation among fans and analysts alike.
Solomon, a former 2000 premiership player, has been linked to the job due to his recent leadership during the transition period. However, he has made it clear that he is not considering taking the position full-time at this stage. Unlike Josh Fraser, who recently stepped down as caretaker coach at Carlton, Solomon has not explicitly ruled himself out.
“I won’t even consider (taking the job full-time). I think it’s really the wrong thing to do for me to entertain any thoughts around that,” Solomon said. “I’ve got to knuckle down – my last 48 hours has been chaos. I actually don’t have the capacity to take that top spot on at the moment.”
He added, “It won’t be in-season … I might struggle, or dislike the role, so who knows … I won’t consider it in-season.” This statement suggests that while Solomon is not ruling out the possibility entirely, he is not ready to commit to the role at this time.
Potential Candidates for the Essendon Coaching Job
Among the names being discussed as potential successors to Brad Scott, former teammate and Essendon coach James Hird has emerged as a strong contender. Hird previously coached the Bombers from 2011 to 2013 and returned in 2015 amid the club’s drug scandal. Since then, he has remained largely away from the AFL landscape, with only a brief stint as a GWS assistant alongside Solomon and fellow teammate Mark McVeigh.
Hird has spent most of his time outside of football, focusing on other businesses and media roles. Despite this, he has expressed a desire to return to coaching, which has been welcomed by Solomon.
“I love the fact that he feels he’s in a position to want to coach again,” Solomon said of Hird. “On a personal level I’m glad that’s the case. Whether that happens or not, I’ve got no… I’m not part of any of those discussions.”
Clarifying the Relationship Between Solomon and Scott
Solomon also addressed rumors about tensions between himself and Brad Scott. He dismissed these claims, stating that their relationship was “not at all true.”
“Not at all (is that accurate). Not one bit. Brad and I get on really, really well,” he said. “I respect Brad as a player, as a coach, what he’s been able to achieve and what I’ve learnt from him in the last eight months.”
He further emphasized that there was no bitterness between them, highlighting the support Scott provided during his time as an assistant coach. “Him embracing me as an assistant, supporting him – there’s not one part of me that felt there was bitterness between Brad and I.”
Conclusion
As Essendon continues its search for a new senior coach, the club will need to weigh various factors, including experience, leadership, and compatibility with the team’s culture. While Solomon has not ruled out the possibility of taking the role, he is currently focused on his interim responsibilities. Meanwhile, the name of James Hird remains prominent in the discussion, offering a potential path forward for the Bombers. The final decision will likely depend on a range of internal and external considerations, but the club is clearly looking for a strong and capable leader to guide it into the future.
