Dean Solomon ‘won’t consider’ chasing full-time Essendon coaching job, denies reports of Brad Scott rift
Dean Solomon says he is currently not interested in chasing Essendon’s full-time coaching job. (Getty Images: Daniel Pockett)
Interim Essendon coach Dean Solomon says he currently has no interest pursuing the full-time role after replacing Brad Scott.
Solomon will lead Essendon this weekend against West Coast after Scott was sacked on Tuesday despite being contracted through the 2027 season.
Having previously served on Essendon’s board, Solomon joined Scott’s coaching staff at the end of last year after Daniel Giansiracusa’s departure to Hawthorn left a vacancy. He denied reports suggesting he and Scott had a rift.
“I won’t even consider [taking the job full-time]. I think it’s really the wrong thing to do for me to entertain any thoughts around that,” Solomon told reporters on Thursday morning.
“I’ve got to knuckle down — my last 48 hours has been chaos. I actually don’t have the capacity to take that top spot on at the moment.
“It won’t be in-season … I might struggle, or dislike the role, so who knows … I won’t consider it in-season.”
Solomon’s comments come just days after his former teammate James Hird spectacularly declared his desire to coach Essendon again, 11 years after his previous stint.
Dean Solomon denies rumours of a rift between him and departed Essendon coach Brad Scott (pictured). (Getty Images: Daniel Pockett)
“I love the fact that he feels he’s in a position to want to coach again,” he said of Hird’s interest in returning to Essendon.
“On a personal level I’m glad that’s the case. Whether that happens or not, I’ve got no… I’m not part of any of those discussions.”
Hird’s public interest in the role has caused a stir in the AFL world, with potential candidates Adam Simpson and Ken Hinkley both suggesting they are not interested in the Essendon job due to Hird’s presence.
Simpson was particularly scathing when discussing the impact of Hird’s public candidacy on Essendon’s coach hunt.
West Coast’s 2018 premiership coach, Adam Simpson, refuses to be involved in a process that involves Hird. (AAP Image: Joe Castro)
“What are they doing? It will be a one-man process at the moment. I can’t see anyone going for this job,” he told Fox Footy’s AFL360 on Wednesday night.
“Going for a job where you know there’s an inside running happening — I went for the Brisbane job [and Justin] Leppitsch got it.
“I thought I’ll back myself in … but I didn’t realise Leigh Matthews was his [Leppitsch’s] mentor. I think Leigh might have been on the panel.
“I don’t say it [the Brisbane process] was a boat race but, when I left, it I was like, ‘OK, how did that feel?’
John Longmire is the highest-profile candidate on the coaching market. (Getty Images: AFL Photos/Robert Cianflone)
“I really enjoyed the experience, but looking at it now it would be difficult to run for that [Essendon] position until they get that sorted. I think Ken [Hinkley] nailed it today.”
Former Sydney coach John Longmire is also a contender for the Essendon job, as well as Carlton and Tasmania’s vacancies, and is arguably the most high-profile candidate.
Unlike Hinkley and Simpson, Longmire has not ruled himself out of being involved in Essendon’s process.
Amid speculation that Essendon president Andrew Welsh, also an ex-player at the club, would solely hunt an ex-player to be the next Bombers coach, Solomon disputed that narrative.
“You don’t have to be an Essendon person to coach Essendon,” he said.
“There’s so many examples of people who played at the club who coached the club, there’s people who haven’t played at the club…
“There’s a lot of success stories. You don’t have to be an Essendon person to coach this club.”
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