Mark McVeigh appointed Essendon coach, James Hird congratulates former teammate

Mark McVeigh has been appointed senior coach of Essendon, the club confirmed on Monday, ending a tumultuous search that saw him beat out Bombers great James Hird, Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham and Adelaide coaching director Murray Davis.

The announcement came a day after Essendon's 10-point loss to Port Adelaide confirmed their worst season in history, finishing with a 2-21 record. McVeigh, 45, returns to the club where he played 232 games, on a three-year contract. He had been an assistant coach at Sydney since 2023 and served as interim coach at GWS in 2022.

Essendon president Andrew Welsh, who played alongside both McVeigh and Hird, said the appointment was a unanimous board decision. "Mark was clearly the best candidate for what this role demands," Welsh said on the club website. "We weighed every candidate against what this role actually demands, and Mark was the clear standout."

Welsh added: "We are building the next successful era for Essendon." McVeigh echoed that sentiment: "We're not looking backwards, we're building the next great era of this football club."

Hird reacts to missing out

James Hird had been vocal in his desire to return to the club he coached from 2010 to 2015, but said he learned of the decision through media reports rather than directly from Essendon. "Firstly, congratulations to Mark. He's a great friend of mine and I'm very proud of him that he's going to be named the coach, so good on him," Hird said on Nine on Sunday night.

"From a personal point of view, it's very disappointing. I'm disappointed. I put my heart and soul into the effort, but obviously fell short and that's the way it goes."

Hird, 53, who is director of coaching at VFL club Port Melbourne, ruled out taking a different role at Essendon but said he still has a passion to coach. "We have a finals series to play," he said. "We'll see what plays out at the end of the year with some other clubs who have contacted me and we'll see what happens."

Hird's first stint as Essendon coach was marred by the supplements saga. He was suspended for the 2014 season for his role in the scandal and resigned in August 2015 with a record of 41 wins, 42 losses and one draw. He previously played 253 games for the club, winning two premierships and the 1996 Brownlow Medal.

Club divisions and fallout

The decision has divided Essendon supporters, with some expressing anger that Hird, a fan favourite, was overlooked. Four-time premiership coach Kevin Sheedy congratulated McVeigh but said he was disappointed Hird was not appointed. Speculation has also emerged of a potential board challenge.

Within minutes of the announcement, a report emerged that former captain Zach Merrett would have stayed at the club had Hird been appointed, but that he now appears certain to seek a trade to Hawthorn after an unsuccessful bid last year. Jordan Ridley is also reported to be likely to depart, while question marks remain over Parish and Tsatas.

Tim Watson, a prominent Essendon voice, called for unity. "There's got to be a unification of the club now," he told SEN on Tuesday morning. "People have to put down their weapons and get behind this appointment of a former player — somebody who has been passionate about the football club."

Matthew Lloyd, another Essendon great, said the appointment would "divide fans" but backed McVeigh as a strong choice. "He's ruthless," Lloyd told AFL.com.au. "I think it's what that place needs, someone to come in and be really, really tough and hard on the standards and the expectations."

Lloyd also said he was certain McVeigh would try to bring Hird back to the club as an assistant. "All I will say is, Mark would love to have James Hird as part of his staff," he told the Nine Network.

Background to the appointment

Brad Scott was sacked as Essendon coach on May 25 after a round 11 loss to Richmond, with Dean Solomon serving as interim coach for the rest of the season. McVeigh had been viewed as the favourite for several weeks, in part because of Hird's role in the supplements saga and his lengthy period out of the AFL system.

McVeigh was one of 34 Essendon players suspended in the supplements scandal. Since leaving the club, he has coached at GWS, including a 4-9 record as interim coach in 2022, and at Sydney, where he helped the Swans to a top-two finish in 2026. He has been Sydney's defensive coach for the past three seasons.

McVeigh has reportedly quit his role at Sydney and could leave immediately to take part in Essendon's exit meetings and list management decisions. Sydney coach Dean Cox said the club was "ready for the unexpected" if McVeigh left.