Essendon champion James Hird has declared his desire to return as head coach of the club he loves, despite the dark shadow of the supplements scandal that marred his previous tenure. Hird, who coached the Bombers from 2011 to 2015, oversaw a period when 34 players received doping bans due to the controversial supplements program. Now, with the coaching position suddenly vacant after Brad Scott was sacked on Tuesday, Hird says he wants to restore the club to its former glory.
Hird's Ambition to Coach Again
Speaking on Channel 9, Hird said, "If I'm the best man for the job, yes, I would love to do that job." He acknowledged that the club has lost its way since its last premiership in 2000 and admitted responsibility for the mistakes made during his earlier coaching stint. "The mistakes made in 2011 and 2012 were partly my fault… The spirit of Essendon is not there. I'd like to go through that process," Hird said.
Hird expressed his deep connection to the club, stating, "I love my football club, and it hasn't been performing well, and it's been very concerning where we're at… The football club means so much to me. It's been through my grandfathers, from my father, from my playing days, to the supporters, it's been one of the key staples in my life, and such a key rock in my life."
He addressed his previous reluctance to coach, saying, "People will say last year that, you know, over a year ago, (I said) did I not want to coach. And I honestly, at that time I wasn't in a position to coach. It wasn't on my mind, it wasn't something I wanted to do. They had a coach who was doing reasonably well, winning games of football, but things have changed... and the club has gone to a position where they've won one game in 27. It hasn't been performing well, and that's distressing for me."
Resistance from AFL Insiders
However, veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has revealed that there are rumblings at AFL House against Hird's return. About 12 months ago, Wilson reported that former chairman Paul Little was pressuring the board to bring Hird back, but Hird dismissed the speculation. Now, Hird has changed his stance, but Wilson believes it's unlikely to materialise.
"My understanding is that someone senior at Essendon, and I don't know who, or someone very influential, has made it clear to the corridors of power at the AFL that that will not be happening," Wilson said on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters. "James Hird will not be coaching the Essendon Football Club. My understanding is, and these have been casual conversations, but too many people at head office are saying to me today, it is not going to happen."
Wilson added that while the AFL is unlikely to stand in Hird's way due to the darkest period in the club's history, influential figures have made it clear that a return is off the table.
