Essendon is close to finalising the criteria for their next senior coach, with the field narrowing to two primary candidates, according to Channel 7 journalist Tom Morris. Since parting ways with Brad Scott last month, the club has remained tight-lipped about its plans, but former coach and club legend James Hird has immediately thrown his hat into the ring, while assistant Dean Solomon has been appointed interim coach for the remainder of the season.
Frontrunners Emerge
Morris believes that Hird and Solomon are the clear frontrunners, with the club hierarchy keen on appointing someone with a deep connection to Essendon. "The people I’ve spoken to in the last 48 hours tell me that they are progressing pretty well behind the scenes to create a process and develop criteria to be the next coach," Morris said on The Agenda Setters. "My understanding is Andrew Welsh is speaking to lots of Essendon people within the club. They’ll develop the criteria and then they’ll go and do a panel after that and then appoint a coach."
Criteria Focuses on Essendon Identity
Morris emphasised that the candidate must "understand the Essendon Football Club" and its history. "This is not club X appointing coach X to coach club X. This is Essendon appointing someone who understands Essendon to coach Essendon," he added. He stated that at this early stage, it is hard to see anyone other than Solomon or Hird securing the role.
Hird's Potential Return
If Hird were appointed, it would mark a return 11 years after he was sacked at the end of the 2015 season. Many have questioned his ability to step back into the senior coaching role after a decade away from the AFL, aside from a brief stint at the Giants. Hird currently serves as director of coaching at VFL club Port Melbourne. Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell noted that Hird would need a strong support staff if he returned. "Well, the game changes quickly. So I think the people around you would be absolutely vital and you would have to take it pretty slowly on the tactics and the strategies of the on-field," Mitchell said. "But that’s a small part of the head coach’s job now. We have a lot of people around us, a lot of support with other coaches. And your relationship building and your culture building would be a significant part of the job. And particularly at Essendon where they’re obviously looking for change. I think getting hold of those things first and the game style and all those things, that’s going to evolve over time. And you’ve got time to speed yourself up for what needs to happen with the modern game over time."
Next Steps
Morris indicated that things are now moving behind the scenes, with Andrew Welsh leading discussions with Essendon personnel to develop the coaching criteria. Following this, a panel will be formed to interview candidates and ultimately appoint the new coach. The club's preference for an "Essendon person" suggests that both Hird and Solomon remain the strongest contenders.
