The West Coast Eagles and senior coach Adam Simpson have mutually agreed that his 11-year tenure at the club will come to an end. The official statement was released by West Coast on Tuesday morning.
Simpson’s coaching tenure ends
In a packed press conference at the Eagles headquarters, Simpson said he would take a break before determining his next move.
“I feel like the time’s right,” Simpson said. “I’ve been reasonably stoic over the last few years about the direction of the club and how it’s a slow burn and it’s going to take a bit of time. And my position hasn’t changed.”
Simpson acknowledged the past three years – during which the club has won just eight games – had taken a toll.
“I’ve still got passion for the game, I probably need a break, to be honest,” he said.
“The sense of a little bit of relief as well as sadness is probably what I feel at the moment. And optimism for our playing group. I’ll be sitting in the stands watching.”
Move makes history
Simpson has been asked to coach for one final time this Sunday afternoon in the Round 18 match against the Brisbane Lions. But he said he’s yet to decide whether he’ll do so or depart immediately.
It marks the first time in history that the Eagles have parted with a senior coach before the season’s end.
West Coast Eagles Premiership glory
Simpson is one of only six senior coaches in the club’s 37-year history. He was also one of just three to lead the West Coast Eagles to premiership glory.
He achieved the ultimate victory in 2018 during a period of success that included six consecutive finals appearances from 2015 to 2020.
Simpson sits among Eagles royalty alongside Michael Malthouse (1992, 1994) and John Worsfold (2006) in bringing the cup to Western Australia.
Before his coaching career, the left-footed midfielder played 306 games for North Melbourne Football Club between 1995 and 2009.
West Coast Eagles Next Coach — Who Will Replace Adam Simpson?
The rumour mill is already flying with potential candidates being thrown around however there are three who have been pushed to the front and one that would be a long shot but possibly the best.
Dean Cox
Sitting at the top of the wish list for West Coast fans (and no doubt the club) is Premiership player and Hall of Famer Dean Cox.
Cox started his coaching career as West Coast’s ruck coach but in 2017 moved east to build his coaching resume as John Longmire’s right-hand man.
While many believe Cox is being groomed for the head coach role once Longmire step aside — there has been no set date as to when that will happen, which opens the door for Cox to potentially head back west and take the head coach role at his former club.
Jaymie Graham
While he isn’t a household name like Dean Cox, Jaymie Graham is one name that has already been floated as a target for the new head coach of West Coast — especially considering he has already done the job, albeit as a short-term caretaker in 2018.
Graham is currently the Dockers assistant having made the crosstown switch in 2022 where he has also filled in as the head coach for Justin Longmuir when the senior coach was out of action due to COVID.
Ash Hansen
Another premiership Eagle is also considered a front-runner for the role at West Coast. Viewed by many as one of the best assistants in the AFL, Hansen has quite the resume coaching the VFL club Footscray, leading the Bulldogs to the 2016 flag while. He has also spent nine years at Whitten Oval before moving to Carlton under coach Michael Voss, taking on the role of forward line and offensive coach.
Nathan Buckley
Could Nathan Buckley be the next coach of the West Coast Eagles?
This is a long shot, but West Coast are known for wanting to make a statement and nothing could be bigger than bringing the Collingwood champion out of retirement to take the head coach role at West Coast.
Buckley has the resume, the experience, the influence to control the locker room and the big name that West Coast loves. But would he even want to move out west?