Dean Solomon’s Stance on Coaching Role
Dean Solomon has made it clear that he does not believe an “Essendon person” needs to be the coach of the club. He also emphasized that he will not consider applying for the full-time coaching position before the end of the season.
Solomon, who previously served as a club director and then stepped down to join the coaching panel, stated that he had no influence on the board’s decision to dismiss Brad Scott this week. The 46-year-old has taken over as interim coach for the remainder of the season, starting with the Bombers’ match against West Coast in Perth on Sunday.
However, the full-time role is not something he is considering at this time.
“I won’t even consider that,” Solomon said on Thursday.
“While I’m doing this job, I think it’s really the wrong thing to do for me to even entertain any thoughts in and around that. I’ve got to knuckle down. My last 48 hours has been chaos and I actually don’t have the capacity to take that kind of thought on at the moment.”
“So that’s where I sit with it and that’s where I’ll sit with it for the rest of the season.”
Solomon denied reports suggesting he had a poor working relationship with Scott, expressing his respect for the former coach.
“There’s not one part of me that felt there was any bitterness between Brad and I,” Solomon said.
He added that becoming a senior coach was the “last thing on my mind” when he joined Scott’s panel as a back-line coach ahead of the 2026 season.
“Where my heart sits is with this football club,” Solomon said.
“It’s the reason I got back in my car and drove back down, was at that point in time to support Brad, the players and the staff on the strategy we’re on. I haven’t even considered being senior coach and I won’t consider that while I’m in this role.”
West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson and former Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley have both indicated that James Hird is the frontrunner for the vacant Essendon job.
Solomon said he will not be involved in any discussions with the Bombers hierarchy about Hird, who has already confirmed his interest in returning as coach.
“I love the fact that he feels he’s in a position to want to coach again,” Solomon said.
“On a personal level I’m glad that’s the case. Whether that happens or not, I’m not part of any of those discussions.”
Solomon avoided making a direct statement on what sort of coach Essendon should appoint. However, he suggested that it is not necessary for the new coach to have a history with the club.
“There’s so many examples both ways … a lot of success stories,” Solomon said.
“You don’t have to be an Essendon person to coach this club.”
