Essendon’s ‘confusing’ approach to coaching search

Essendon’s search for a new head coach is set to ramp up over the bye round, with Tom Morris reporting that President Andrew Welsh will commence talks this week.

After sacking coach Brad Scott, the Bombers are in desperate need to nail down a senior coach for the future, having gone without a finals win since 2004.

However, with former head coach James Hird keen on the role and current interim coach Dean Solomon reportedly leading the charge for the full-time position, Morris has reported that the shortlist isn't expected to be very lengthy.

“Big fortnight coming up for Essendon,” Morris told SEN’s Fireball.

“Things will start to move now behind the scenes.

“Andrew Welsh, Ted Richards – the footy director, CEO Tim Roberts, they will all speak in the next few days to determine exactly what this process is to appoint a new coach.

“They will first work to determine the characteristics they want in a new coach, and then they will have a shortlist.

“The list could be very short – it could be one or two names; it might be three or four names. I don’t think it’s going to be an exhaustive 10 or 15 names that they will then whittle down.

“I’m still looking at Mark McVeigh at the Sydney Swans as someone they will speak to at some stage, whether it’s to be their senior coach or whether it’s to come into support whoever the senior coach is.

“This will start to move a little bit quicker now. They’ve sat, it’s the bye for the Bombers, the players have gone away, this is when Andrew Welsh will get to work.”

David King couldn’t help but question their reported process.

“What’s the upside or just having four or five rather than eight or nine?” he said.

Morris: “You expedite the process. It’s targeted.”

King: “But aren’t you gathering information? Isn’t it your one opportunity as a football club to gather as much information as you can?

“I think it’s crazy not to chat to as many people who are as interested as the next.”

Morris: “St Kilda only spoke to Ross Lyon, they knew what they wanted.”

King: “If you target one guy, that’s totally different.

“If you want to appoint Solly (Dean Solomon), just appoint him. If you want to appoint James Hird, just appoint him.

“If you can get John Longmire, bang, get it done. Outside of that, I would be gathering as much information as I could.”

Kane Cornes added: “I don’t know where they’re at.

“Why does it have to be an Essendon person? Every name I keep hearing is a former Essendon player.

“I’m a bit confused about Essendon’s approach.”