Essendon legend declares interest in senior coaching role following Brad Scott’s sacking
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 Essendon 253 player said his desire to return the Bombers to a position of strength was fueled by jealousy and compared them to the achievements of clubs such as Geelong, Hawthorn and Collingwood since the turn of the century – at a time when Essendon was an AFL superpower but had long been dormant.
“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.”
Hird argued he was in a better position to coach Essendon for a second time after managing the club from 2011 to 2013 and then again in charge for much of 2015, a period besieged by the club’s drugs saga. Hird was banned from coaching for the 2014 season.
The 1996 Brownlow medalist said: Footy Hidden Presenter Eddie McGuire’s interest in returning to Essendon may parallel what led McGuire to become Collingwood chairman in the late 1990s.
“We were the reference point” in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Hird said of Essendon.
“We were the benchmark in the AFL. We were winning premierships. We had great players. We were consistent on the field.
“We are not close to that 1779803285.
“I put my hand up; I was part of the mistakes made at Essendon Football Club in 2011 and 2012.
“[They] It was partly my fault.
“A lot of time has gone under the bridge. I’ve suffered a lot. The football club has suffered a lot. The fans (mostly) have suffered a lot and I think it’s time for everyone to really step in and try to make this club great 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.
Asked if he had “unfinished business” at Essendon, Hird replied: “You have to sell hope and that’s what Andrew has done.” [president Andrew Welsh] doing.
“I’d probably be called arrogant if I said this was unfinished business. I’m not sure what that is; unfinished, or just ‘doing the job.’
“What I learned from my first coaching experience and what I have learned throughout my life over the last 13 years, mistakes and positives [will hold me in good stead].
“People say I don’t do anything [in football lately] … Why don’t you go and do some research, you’ll see that I’ve done a lot in football in the last three or four years. [and it] It will make me a much better coach than I was then.”
Hird’s bold declaration that he is fit to be Essendon’s manager added to the intriguing question that emerged on Tuesday: could the club’s favorite son actually coach the Bombers again?
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 Hird’s tenure did not go 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.”
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.
