Could James Hird really return to coach the Essendon Bombers?
Updated ,first published
Essendon great James Hird has expressed a strong interest in returning as senior coach at Tullamarine, saying he wants the Bombers to be “the best club in the AFL again”.
In the dramatic day that began with the ouster of Brad Scott in his fourth year in office, Hird said in a statement Tuesday night that he was ready to “match my goods” with top candidates in a “comprehensive process” to find Scott’s successor.
“The most important thing for me as an Essendonian, and what I would like to see the football club do, is that they go through the most comprehensive process possible to find the best person to be the manager of Essendon Football Club,” Hird said. Footy HiddenHe is a regular panelist.
“If the club came to me [and said]’Would you be a part of this process?’ If you ask me, I would definitely say yes. This is something I would love to be a part of; comparing my products with other trainers [to find] best man for the job.
“If I’m the best man for the job, then yes I’d love to do the job, but if I’m not, pick the best man and let’s move forward with this club and make it the best club in the AFL again.”
If the Bombers turn to Hird, a polarizing figure, his appointment could lead to some fans dancing in the streets. But others were raising their eyebrows.
The big question remains: could Essendon’s favorite son actually coach the Bombers again?
Ten years on from the season in which the Bombers began adding new players to the team as suspensions from the club’s drugs saga took full effect, the club could come full circle against Hird.
Hird’s assumption was immediately overblown after Scott’s dismissal became public. Former Hawk Jordan Lewis, who sits on the sub-committee to select Essendon’s coach in 2022, spoke to him.
Lewis said he could envision Hird returning to the senior coaching ranks. “I’m impressed with him to be honest. Really impressed,” Lewis told SEN about Hird’s presentation in 2022.
“For me, from what I’ve seen and experienced, I think he still understands the game. He gave a really good presentation.
“He lost when he wasn’t in the game [a] senior position.”
Club legend and later board member Kevin Sheedy had strongly pressured Hird over Scott four years ago. He said on Tuesday: messenger of the sun He hoped Hird would coach in the AFL again.
“I hope James Hird gets his chance and I know it depends on who’s doing the interview, but he does a great job,” Sheedy said.
“He was wasted, he should be coaching in the AFL now.
“I hope he doesn’t coach Carlton… we’re going to lose a lot of fans and we’re trying to get them back.
“If he doesn’t apply, so be it, and at least our fans will know he doesn’t want to do it.”
With John Worsfold steadying Essendon’s coaching ship after the turmoil of the drugs saga, red-and-black fans have witnessed a steady stream of coaches in the chair since Sheedy finally parted ways with Essendon in 2007 after an astounding 27 seasons.
Coaching Essendon has not been a secure employment.
The replacement of Sheedy with Matthew Knights in 2008 was a controversial appointment, but it was the coaching combination of Hird and (senior assistant) Mark Thompson that lifted the spirits of Essendon fans in 2011.
History shows that things are not going well. In early 2013, the supplement myth came to light. Hird was suspended for 2014 and chose to leave Essendon towards the end of the following season, having been hit hard by the toll of the drugs saga and poor results on the pitch.
“The board’s view was that the football club would never recover from the ASADA scandals. [then chairman Paul Little] and here I was,” Hird said in 2015.
“I have always cared deeply about the players. I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Hird has been an assistant coach at GWS in 2022 for more than 10 years, is director of coaching at VFL club Port Melbourne and appears regularly on Channel Nine.
As news of Scott’s sacking emerged on Tuesday morning, the club’s great star Tim Watson discussed Hird on SEN.
On his breakfast radio show, Watson confirmed that there was “very, very strong pressure from a lot of people for James Hird to coach Essendon”.
“Essendonians want success, they want the right person. At the moment a lot of people think it could be James Hird.”
But Watson also said the Bombers needed to conduct a “proper bus search.”
He recently said that of all the jobs he’s had in his life, coaching was his clear choice.
“You would definitely be a senior AFL coach, that’s what you would be,” Hird said Footy Hidden.
“If you love coaching, the passion for coaching and bringing a team together is the greatest thrill you can get outside of playing.”
On Tuesday, Essendon chairman Welsh did not shed light on Essendon’s interest in Hird.
“We’re not pushing anyone in or out. I’m sure there will be a lot of people interested in this role,” Welsh said.
Sheedy chose not to comment when contacted by this imprint.
