'Frenzy' for Longmire looms as $1 million detail emerges

A “frenzy” around John Longmire is set to send shockwaves across the AFL coaching market with the former Swans coach already linked to prominent positions.

The 53-year-old was in tears on Tuesday when announcing his decision to immediately step down as coach. His former right hand man, Dean Cox, has been promoted to take up the top job.

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A key detail in the announcement was that Longmire will shift into a cushy position as executive director of club performance.

It speaks volumes that Longmire was comfortable leaving $1 million dollars sitting on the table, his annual salary, per The Age.

Longmire said during his announcement that the demands of his position “really does start to wear on you”.

A lot can change in 12 months.

The 2012 premiership winning coach may be taking a back seat in 2025, but he will be the most desirable coach in the industry should he get the bug to jump back into the trenches of AFL coaching in 2026.

Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary reported on Tuesday night “there’ll be a frenzy for Longmire’s signature post 2025”.

He has already been linked as the man some clubs will approach should things start to go pear shaped next season.

John Longmire walked away on his terms.Source: Supplied

Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes has even mentioned the Crows as a possible landing spot for Longmire.

“I think it’s really good for John Longmire. There’s a number of coaches under pressure going into this year. There will be a job available for him in 12 months’ time and he will be the most in-demand coach that there is in-waiting,” he said on 7News.

“Michael Voss is under pressure, we know Matthew Nicks is under pressure, Ken Hinkley, albeit Josh Carr will take over there, who knows what will happen at Fremantle.

“Longmire will be able to take his pick out of any of those clubs and if not them, he’ll be the first coach of Tassie.”

He went on to say: “I rate him so highly, I’d appoint him tomorrow if I was running a club.

“I don’t know whether he wants to coach again but if he does there will be a number of clubs picking up the phone I would imagine.”

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge and Dockers coach Justin Longmuir will be feeling the heat more than anyone with both coaches out of contract at the end of 2025.

Hinkley’s contract also expires at the end of 2025.

Nicks is signed through to the end of 2026. Voss is out of contract with Carlton at the end of 2026. Simon Goodwin is also signed with the Demons until the end of 2026.

As Cornes suggested, some clubs will be prepared to take extreme measures to snap Longmire up.

The new Tasmanian club would also be silly not to entertain the prospect of having Longmire lead them into the competition as the AFL’s 19th club.

John Longmire hands over to Dean Cox. Photo: Phil Hillyard.Source: News Corp Australia

Longmire — and his manager — can expect their phones to be running hot throughout 2025.

Tuesday’s announcement, however, was all about the past and celebrating the legacy “Horse” is leaving behind.

He thanked those within the organisation and heaped praise on the players who had played under him during the appearance but it was when talking about his family that the emotion of the moment struck.

“Lastly I want to thank Shelley and the kids,” Longmire said.

“It’s a bit of an interesting journey in the family of a coach. I’ve been lucky to do it at this club and with the support of this club.

“But I couldn’t have done it without my wife and three kids,” he said as the tears built up in his eyes.

“It’s all they’ve ever known. We come up here and none of my kids were born, they’ve all gone through school up here and now they’re sort of wanting to spend time without me because they’re trying to do other stuff.

“I really thank them for the support they’ve given me and the fun they’ve had along the way as well.”

Most clubs would dream of a succession plan going this smoothly. Photo: Phil Hillyard.Source: News Corp Australia

Longmire said he had begun to question if he could see out his coaching contract ahead of the 2023 season and held talks with club chairman Andrew Pridham and club CEO Tom Harley about a different role.

“I started talking to them over the past 18 months about something beyond coaching and I’d always been interested in that,” Longmire said.

“About 18 months ago I said to them I’m not sure if I can get through until the end of next year. We sort of said we’d just see how we go and I was really fortunate this year to see the team’s progression and play some of the best football I think I’ve ever seen.

“Towards the end of this year I thought maybe I can get through until the end of 2025.

“As what always happens after any season, you take a deep breath and you go away and I really appreciate the time I was given to think it through and to think what’s best for myself and the football club.

“Whilst my head was trying to talk myself into keep going until the end of next year, my gut was saying that’s about enough.

“It’s time to rest, reflect and re-energise and probably the only way I could do that or properly do that would be to stop.”