Old Dons, ex-coaches and eager assistants: Essendon coaching candidates

Essendon will soon be on the hunt for a new senior coach following the sacking of Brad Scott.

The Bombers opted to part ways with Scott after three and a half seasons in which he oversaw just 29 wins from 80 matches.

As is always the case with these situations, the conversation quickly turns to who the replacement could be.

Just like Carlton, who recently saw Michael Voss resign, the Bombers will be casting their net over the available coaches including experienced previous coaches and first-timers who are currently assistants.

Since Mathew Knights was given his marching orders at the conclusion of the 2010 season, the Bombers have hired six senior coaches and have had a further four act as caretakers, inclusive of Dean Solomon who will step in for the rest of 2026.

But who will be the next full-time senior coach at Tullamarine?

From an assistant coach’s perspective it’ll be a similar candidates pool to what is being bandied around at the Blues, but there will be a few different names.

The biggest of those is one Bombers legend in particular.

The Old Essendon connection

James Hird - Premiership captain, superstar, favourite son and former coach. Is he even interested? We’ll soon find out. Talk is there could be a push to bring him back. Current director of coaching at VFL club Port Melbourne.

Dean Solomon - Former Gold Coast interim coach and premiership Don who has been installed as caretaker for the rest of 2026. If the club wants to stick to Essendon people then he could be in the mix. Spent time at the Giants with Hird and Mark McVeigh.

Mark McVeigh - 232-game former Bomber who has undertaken a long coaching apprenticeship. Coached GWS for 13 games (four wins, nine losses) in 2022 after the exit of Leon Cameron. Hird was his assistant at the time. Current Sydney Swans assistant.

James Kelly - Triple premiership Cat who spent two years at Essendon where he played his 300th game in 2017. Highly rated Cats assistant under Chris Scott.

Hayden Skipworth - Highly rated and has experience in red and black from his time there as a player and later a development coach, VFL coach and Bombers assistant. He has been a constant in recent times whenever senior jobs have been mentioned.

The experienced quartet

Nathan Buckley - Wouldn’t think this Collingwood legend would be keen on coaching Essendon. Has his eyes on the Tassie job.

Adam Simpson - Not interested in the Carlton job. Will be linked to the Essendon one. Premiership coach at West Coast and two-time flag winner as a player at North Melbourne. Knows what success looks like.

John Longmire - Simpson’s 1999 flag teammate at the Roos. 2012 Sydney Swans premiership coach who took that club to finals in 12 seasons, including five Grand Finals. Knows what it takes.

Ken Hinkley - Former Port Adelaide coach in his first year in the media with SEN and Fox Footy. Recently said he wasn’t sure if he wanted to coach again or not when his name came up in Tassie Devils conversations. The Dons wanted him as director of coaching alongside Scott after his time at the Power ended.

Note: Both Simpson and Hinkley questioned Essendon’s game plan and DNA in the wake of their loss to Richmond last Friday night.

The eager assistants

There is a plethora of current assistants whose names will be throw into the fray.

Daniel Pratt (Western Bulldogs) has already stated his interest in the Blues job, so presumably would be keen on the vacancy at The Hangar.

James Rahilly (Geelong) says he would be open to conversing with a club that is on the hunt for a new senior coach.

Adrian Hickmott (Hawthorn) is confident he is ready to become a senior coach, while Corey Enright (St Kilda) recently spoke about focusing on his role with the Saints.

Josh Fraser (Carlton) is 2-0 as caretaker at the Blues, but is unsure if he is ready for the main gig.

Then there are the likes of Daniel Giansiracusa (Hawthorn), Brett Montgomery (GWS), Brendon Lade (Western Bulldogs), Shaun Grigg (Gold Coast), Troy Chaplin (Melbourne), Jaymie Graham (Fremantle) and Scott Burns (Adelaide), among others.