Essendon appoints new assistant coach - Alan Richardson

[Merv]

Essendon appoints new assistant coach

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/images/spacer.gif Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Craig Rowston for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon today announced the appointment of highly respected Collingwood development manager, Alan Richardson, as an assistant coach. Richardson joins Gary O’Donnell, Ashley Prescott and Scott Camporeale as assistant coaches under senior coach Matthew Knights. Adrian Hickmott also forms part of Essendon’s coaching panel in the role of development coach/senior coach of the Bendigo Bombers.
Essendon chief operating officer, Travis Auld, said Richardson will be valuable addition to the club.

“Alan has built up a considerable reputation for his work with young footballers through his time at both Collingwood, leading their player development program, and the Western Bulldogs as assistant coach/development coach,” Auld said.
“Alan is known as a quality person who will bring with him some fantastic experience that is particularly relevant to where our list is at.
“Whilst Alan will have the normal responsibilities of an assistant coach, he will also be of great assistance to Ashley Prescott and Adrian Hickmott in further consolidating our player development program.
“This is a further investment by the club in fast tracking the developing of our list, on and off-field. Alan’s appointment, along with the recent
appointments of Stu Cormack and Paul Hamilton, allows us to approach 2009 with the confidence that we can really built on what we have achieved this year.”

Richardson thanked Collingwood and said that the opportunity presented by Essendon to be involved back in mainstream coaching of a senior team was very attractive to him.
“I have always had massive respect for Essendon with the success they have had and the success they demand,” Richardson said.
“The last time Collingwood played the Bombers I couldn’t help but be impressed with the young playing list. I believe the Essendon group is going in the right direction and I want to play a role assisting Matthew Knights and the other coaches in further developing the list.
“Having achieved what I set out to achieve at Collingwood with setting up their academy, now is a good time for a change and I am very excited by this new opportunity.”
Richardson will start at Essendon next month.
Prior to working at Collingwood and the Bulldogs he had senior coaching stints at East Burwood (EDFL) and Coburg (VFL).
Today’s appointment follows yesterday’s announcement that Adelaide Crows assistant coach, Paul Hamilton, will join Essendon in the new position of football operations manager.
Last month former West Coast Eagles head fitness coach, Stuart Cormack, was appointed as high performance coach.


http://www.essendonfc.com.au/images/08/alanrichardson-l.jpg


http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=6082

[Colin D'Cops]

Doesn't have a bad resume' at all.
Hopefully he can add a bit more excitement to the club. :thumbsu:

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

Good appointment :thumbsu:

[ant555]

Well we are certainly entering a new era now.
Over the last two years we will have changed our recruting department, coaching department, football management team and fitness department.

[Merv]

That signing came right out of the blue for me and i hadn't heard a single whisper about it.

He has an excellent reputation as a developer of kids so could be an excellent addition.

[dalethomas13]

Absolute GUN! That's the only way to describe this bloke.

Ultimate dynamo from a development point of view. Interesting to hear that he wanted to get back into mainstream coaching. Don't know how good his record actually is in that department. Rejected an offer from Carlton last year too.

His work has been greatly appreciated at the Lexus Centre so good luck to him and all the best.

[ant555]

That signing came right out of the blue for me and i hadn't heard a single whisper about it.

He has an excellent reputation as a developer of kids so could be an excellent addition.

I am really happy about it. I have bben saying for a while that we could use another development coach. All the most succesfull setups have two coaches working with the young kids.

[GoDons]

If there's one thing that's impressive about Collingwood's young players, it's the speed at which they develop.

It'd be great if he could bring some of that to Essendon.

Another coach won't do us any harm.

[Mudflap]

That signing came right out of the blue for me and i hadn't heard a single whisper about it.

He has an excellent reputation as a developer of kids so could be an excellent addition.

With you there Merv, never heard boo on this!

Have quickly followed up with some people that have been involved down at the pies and he comes with high praise.

We are complete now, there can be no argument that the club hasnt been pro active in filling all gaps in our football and fitness department.

Over to the players!!!

[Windas_Magic]

Collingwood have a very good record of developing their young kids well and getting them to perform at a high standard.
Another good appointment for the club :thumbsu:

[HBF]

Massive get for Essendon. Well done. :thumbsu:

[Gus2Gumby]

If there's one thing that's impressive about Collingwood's young players, it's the speed at which they develop.

It'd be great if he could bring some of that to Essendon.

Definately. As much as I hate Collingwood, the do some great work with their kids.

Good point too Ant about the huge off-field clean out... Complete club rebuild :thumbsu:

[DaSawx]

Terrific get, wonder how many people still think the board are doing a poor job, a lot of fresh optimism around the club these days.

[The Dustbin]

2 signings in the one day, wow. :eek:

Didn't see or hear anything aout Richardson. Will be a good signing along with Hamilton, can't wait for 09. :D

[Ben the Gooner]

Great news. His record for developing kids at Collingwood speaks for itself, and we've certainly got some kids for him to develop.:thumbsu:

[kelvin_sheedy]

I thing that strikes me with Collingwood's kids is that they are so well drilled in the 1%'s and team game.

Not sure if this is a Malthouse edict or if it comes from people like Richardson but it looks like a good move.

[Darealrath]

This is great. It's like we're assembling a crack team around Knights :thumbsu:

[windyhill]

Just as senior coaches are over rated (and, having said that, I`ve been a firm fan of M.Knights from day one) suprise suprise, so are assitant coaches, I`d say to richo, congratulations for your foresight in bailing out of a sinking ship and joining a club that is going places. Smart man.
Players make coaches, football fact.

[Spikey]

I was robbed! I'm just as good as this guy!

[stander]

Just as senior coaches are over rated (and, having said that, I`ve been a firm fan of M.Knights from day one) suprise suprise, so are assitant coaches, I`d say to richo, congratulations for your foresight in bailing out of a sinking ship and joining a club that is going places. Smart man.
Players make coaches, football fact.

All we need now is the elusive ruck coach. Its getting pretty cosy in the coaches box, I wonder where Hirdy will sit when he pays a visit?

[blues2010]

This is huge for the Bombers, congratulations, we are very jealous.
Have met Alan and think he is the best going around. Wish him all the best even though I hate you guys

[FandangoDingo]

That's a real coup! Top get Bombers!!

Cast your mind back 12 months... we've really come a long way in 1 year, especially given our horror run with injuries. Bring on '09!! :thumbsu: :D

[daffo]

Massive get for Essendon. Well done. :thumbsu:

I agree, I've heard great things about this bloke, but had no idea that we were getting him. When i read this it put a big smile to my face, our pick five next year will play like a pick 2-3!:)

[Longy413]

I am really happy about it. I have bben saying for a while that we could use another development coach. All the most succesfull setups have two coaches working with the young kids.

Hasn't he been hired as an assistant coach and not a development coach?

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

Knights said on the radio last night that his role would be 90% assistant coach, 10% development coach.

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

There's an interview on BomberTV with him as well.

[Longy413]

Knights said on the radio last night that his role would be 90% assistant coach, 10% development coach.

Effectively all coaches have a development role.

But the reason Richardson left Collingwood in the first place was because he wanted a match day role.

[ant555]

Effectively all coaches have a development role.

But the reason Richardson left Collingwood in the first place was because he wanted a match day role.

And his knowledge in the development area will be extremely helpfull :)

[Longy413]

I just like the fact that him and Hammer bring ideas from other clubs.

Development or otherwise.

[ant555]

I just like the fact that him and Hammer bring ideas from other clubs.

Development or otherwise.

Yep :thumbsu: