Essendon’s Interim Coach Refuses Full-Time Role
Dean Solomon, the interim coach of Essendon, has made it clear that he has no intention of pursuing the full-time coaching position. This decision comes after he took over from Brad Scott, who was sacked on Tuesday despite having a contract that extended through the 2027 season.
Solomon will be leading the team in their upcoming match against West Coast. His appointment followed Scott’s dismissal, which came as a surprise to many within the club. Having previously served on Essendon’s board, Solomon joined Scott’s coaching staff at the end of last year after Daniel Giansiracusa left for Hawthorn. He also denied any rumors about a rift between himself and Scott.
“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 during a press conference. “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.”
Hird’s Return Sparks Debate
Solomon’s comments come just days after his former teammate James Hird announced his desire to return as Essendon’s coach, 11 years after his previous stint with the club. Hird’s interest in the role has created a stir within the AFL community, with potential candidates Adam Simpson and Ken Hinkley both expressing reluctance to pursue the position due to Hird’s presence.
Simpson was particularly critical of the impact of Hird’s public candidacy on Essendon’s coaching search. “What are they doing? It will be a one-man process at the moment. I can’t see anyone going for this job,” he told Fox Footy’s AFL360. “Going for a job where you know there’s an inside running happening — I went for the Brisbane job [and Justin] Leppitsch got it.”
“Looking at it now it would be difficult to run for that [Essendon] position until they get that sorted. I think Ken [Hinkley] nailed it today.”
Potential Candidates and Controversies
John Longmire, the former Sydney coach, is also being considered for the Essendon job, along with other vacancies at Carlton and Tasmania. Unlike Simpson and Hinkley, Longmire has not ruled out the possibility of being involved in Essendon’s coaching search.
Amid speculation that Essendon president Andrew Welsh, a former player at the club, would prefer an ex-player as the next coach, Solomon challenged this narrative. “You don’t have to be an Essendon person to coach Essendon,” he said. “There’s so many examples of people who played at the club who coached the club, there’s people who haven’t played at the club… There’s a lot of success stories. You don’t have to be an Essendon person to coach this club.”
Key Points Summary
- Dean Solomon has confirmed he has no interest in the full-time coaching role at Essendon.
- He will lead the team against West Coast this weekend following Brad Scott’s sacking.
- Solomon denied reports of a rift with Scott and emphasized his focus on the current season.
- James Hird’s public interest in the role has caused controversy, with some candidates stepping back.
- Adam Simpson and Ken Hinkley have expressed concerns about the impact of Hird’s candidacy.
- John Longmire is another potential candidate for the position.
- Solomon disputed the notion that only ex-players should coach Essendon, highlighting successful examples of non-players in the role.
