Essendon’s Coaching Dilemma: A Legacy in the Balance
The question that has dominated discussions around Essendon this week is who wants to take on the role of head coach? The answer seems to be James Hird, a club legend and former premiership skipper who last coached the team in 2015—a period marked by one of the most controversial coaching tenures in Australian Football League (AFL) history.
At 53 years old, Hird spent a recent Sunday afternoon at Port Melbourne, guiding the Borough’s forwards as they secured the final three goals of the match, helping their side clinch a narrow four-point victory over the Tassie Devils. While the game was taking place, football insiders from various AFL clubs were watching closely, convinced that the Essendon job would eventually fall into Hird’s hands when the next season rolled around.
However, other potential candidates have been hesitant to step forward. Coaches like Adam Simpson and Ken Hinkley, along with several assistant coaches, seem content to avoid the Essendon role while Hird remains in contention. Even Dean Solomon, Hird’s good friend and a premiership teammate, who took on an interim coaching role after Brad Scott’s sudden dismissal, has shown little interest in pursuing the full-time position.
Solomon, who recently transitioned from club director to coach, stated that he is too focused on learning the ropes to consider himself a candidate. This is understandable given his rapid rise within the club, having moved from club director to coach in just 12 months. Alongside him, Andrew Welsh became club president, and Tim Roberts took on the role of CEO. Solomon is the only one of the trio who had prior coaching experience, and it’s clear that the club has confidence in its strategic direction.
Welsh and Roberts also played a key role in the decision to move on from Scott, marking the start of a new era for Essendon. This shift was further emphasized by the departure of Ben Jacobs, Scott’s loyal assistant, who stepped down as midfield coach on Friday. His exit symbolized a sense of defeat, as if the team was trying to escape a looming threat.
After the match, Solomon, known for his ability to connect people, outlined his vision for the team. He emphasized a new game plan, focusing on contest, team defense, and rotating players into different roles. This approach marks a significant change from the typical “tinker” strategy used by many interim coaches.
Solomon began implementing these changes during his second period as interim coach, drawing from his experience as an interim coach for the Suns in 2017. One of his first moves was shifting defender Ben McKay forward, a decision that initially left the team struggling against West Coast. However, the Bombers eventually found their rhythm, drawing within a point midway through the second quarter.
Despite the progress, the team faced challenges, including injuries and a lack of depth. Key forward Archer May suffered a dislocated shoulder early in the game, adding to an already lengthy injury list. The Bombers managed to avoid being scoreless in the opening quarter for the first time since 1986, thanks to a behind from Archer Day-Wicks in the final 30 seconds.
However, the team lost composure as the Eagles launched an eight-goal run, stretching the margin to 53 points. Solomon admitted that the team struggled to maintain focus, highlighting the ongoing issues facing the club.
This performance raised the question: who would want to coach Essendon now? For Hird, the answer is clearly yes. But the decision comes with significant challenges, particularly regarding his past tenure and the impact of the WADA suspension that affected 34 players in 2016.
Hird denies that his motivation is driven by unfinished business. Instead, he sees himself as the leader capable of lifting the Bombers out of the struggles they’ve faced since 2005. This is no small task, as rebuilding a team requires resilience and determination—qualities Hird has never lacked.
Other potential candidates, such as John Longmire, remain in the discussion. As a former Swans’ coach with 14 years of senior coaching experience, Longmire could offer a strong alternative to Hird. However, until he makes his intentions clear, he will remain a wildcard in the conversation.
Luke Hodge, the straight-talking Hawk, expressed his support for Hird, stating that backing from figures like Kevin Sheedy and Michael Long could give Hird a fair chance at securing the role.
The irony of the situation is that Essendon missed an opportunity to appoint a local favorite as coach back in 2008 when Damien Hardwick’s computer failed. That concern about readiness now seems laughable, given the current momentum behind Hird’s candidacy.
The board has yet to make a final decision on Hird’s eligibility, leaving the future of the club in limbo. Until then, each game will serve as a backdrop to the ongoing chaos surrounding Essendon and its loyal supporters.
Andrew Welsh has vowed that the club will no longer be pushed around, but the real question is who the club wants to push back against—and how they will navigate this challenging period. The answer to that will shape the club’s future more than their performance on the field in the remaining 11 matches of 2026.
“We will all lock in on what we need to do now,” Solomon said.
