Dean Cox is thought to be the front-runner to become the new head coach of the West Coast Eagles, but shock new reports have claimed he might not want the job. The Eagles are on the hunt for a new senior coach after Adam Simpson’s departure over the weekend.
Cox is a legend at West Coast, having played 290 games for the club from 2001 to 2014 – including the 2006 premiership triumph. The 42-year-old revolutionised the role of ruckman with his elite running capabilities, and effectively became an extra midfielder at ground level.
Cox has been part of Sydney’s coaching set-up since 2017 and currently oversees game strategy and performance. But Cox is held in such high regard at the Swans that he’s been touted as the successor to current coach John Longmire.
There’s a chain of thought that Cox will take the head-coaching role at West Coast now that it’s available, but leading AFL reporter Tom Morris says that’s not the case. Speaking on ‘Footy Classified’ on Channel 9 on Monday night, Morris reported that Cox wants to stay in Sydney and take over from Longmire whenever he departs.
“The Swans are very confident they can hold onto him,” Morris said. “Longmire is out of contract at the end of next year and the Swans won’t begin those discussions until next year begins, at least, which is unusual in the modern landscape.
“But Dean Cox is comfortable being in Sydney and the Swans are comfortable with Dean Cox being there and there’s a broad acknowledgment he’s not going to pursue any gig at the Eagles. They believe he’s staying and not going anywhere.
“It’s not a succession plan because there’s no timeline on it. They unofficially think Cox is their next man and Cox knows this, it’s just whether that happens. I think Longmire coaches as long he realistically wants to coach for.”
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd said he also thinks Cox will stay in Sydney. “There’s a chance (Longmire doesn’t re-sign with the Swans), it’s been 14 years,” Lloyd said. “Yes he’s on top of the ladder. But I don’t Cox is staying if he’s not sure if (he’s going to take the helm in the short term).”
Should the Eagles be looking at John Longmire?
Kane Cornes said the Eagles should be looking at Longmire as their next coach if Morris’ mail is on the money. “If I hear that and I’m West Coast I go straight to John Longmire’s manager and say: ‘If this is the case, let’s get you’,” Cornes said.
“He along with Chris Scott would be the No.1 target. 100 per cent they should (try and poach Longmire). If John feels like he’s been there a long time and if they have great success this year and the players are ready for another voice, you’d have to ask the question.”
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Former assistant coach Jarrad Schofield has been appointed interim coach at the Eagles, and would be a candidate to take the role full-time. Schofield guided WAFL side Subiaco to three flags and has also spent time at Port Adelaide as an assistant. He seven games to prove he has what it takes to be handed the West Coast top job on a full-time basis.
Former Eagles forward Ash Hansen, who is now an assistant at Carlton, is also set to be among the candidates. Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham, former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, Port assistant Josh Carr, Adelaide assistant Scott Burns and former Richmond interim coach Andrew McQualter are other names that could be in the running.
with AAP