In 2014, Mark Thompson will take on the coaching role for Essendon while James Hird serves his 12-month suspension due to his involvement in the Bombers’ supplements scandal.
Thompson will serve as the club’s interim coach for just one year, until Hird resumes his position.
Although Hird’s suspension will end before next year’s final series, Thompson is set to lead the Bombers throughout the entirety of the 2014 season.
Thompson, who spent 11 years coaching Geelong and led the team to two premierships, had previously served as Hird’s assistant after returning to Windy Hill in 2011.
The Bombers have announced additional changes to their coaching setup, with Neil Craig, the former Adelaide coach, taking on the role of head of coaching development and strategy.
Admitting his hesitance about returning to a head coaching position, Thompson feels a sense of responsibility to support the club for the upcoming season.
“I have publicly said before that coaching was not something I wanted to pursue,” he explained.
“My intention was to coach for just nine months, and that is precisely what I’m committed to.”
Initially approached after Hird’s suspension, Thompson expressed he wasn’t ready to take the head coach position.
“I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to make that decision at that moment,” Thompson stated.
“After a couple of weeks of reflection, considering the club’s situation, I became willing to take part in it.”
While Hird serves his suspension, which concludes in August, Thompson has confirmed he will not be seeking Hird’s input.
“I’ll be the coach for this year; we will adhere to the rules,” he emphasized.
“Hird will not have any active role in the team’s affairs.”
If the Bombers reach the finals next year, Thompson has expressed he would welcome Hird back to the club once the suspension is over.
“But he won’t be returning as senior coach,” he added.
Thompson is mindful of minimizing distractions on the path to securing a premiership.
“We’re focused on improving and seeing where that leads us; that’s what truly matters,” he noted.
“Our goal is to strive for a premiership and to conduct ourselves well.”
Hird has also agreed to maintain his distance for the upcoming season.
According to Bombers chairman Paul Little, Hird has conferred that he won’t reclaim his head coach role upon returning from his suspension.
“James believes that resuming coaching late in the season would not be wise,” he revealed.
Thompson, with his extensive experience as Geelong’s head coach, feels he has a point to prove during his time at Essendon.
“I have found my performance as an assistant coach over the last three years somewhat unsatisfactory,” he said.
“The outcomes we aimed for were not achieved.”
“Being a proud individual, the way in which people view my accomplishments at Essendon does not reflect how I wish to be perceived.”
Little has remarked that Thompson was the top choice for the coaching position.
“The selection process was rigorous; we had outstanding candidates both from within and outside the organization,” he commented.
Craig, eager to step into his new position with the Bombers, has previously filled the role of caretaker coach for Melbourne after Mark Neeld was dismissed mid-season.
Earlier on Thursday, he was relieved of his official duties as the director of sports performance at the Demons.
Craig is enthusiastic about contributing to the Bombers and is determined to seize this opportunity.
“I perceive this role as part of the Essendon way—developing a unique, innovative position within the club’s structure,” he stated.
To gain insight into the club’s coaching philosophy and check on Hird’s well-being, Craig reached out to Hird prior to accepting the role.
“It would be foolish for the staff at this club to be completely disconnected, but thankfully, we’re not,” he remarked.
Little mentioned that Simon Goodwin, who served as an assistant coach in 2013, was a strong contender for the senior position and will continue to be part of the coaching team.
