James Hird to coach Essendon

[Phone]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/hird-to-coach-bombers/story-e6frf9jf-1225930046780

[Wahooti Fandango]

inb4jizzinpants

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Like your title. :thumbsu:

Article is marginally different from previous ones in that it says the obstacles have now been removed.

[Phone]

Ben if you're gonna change the thread title you may as well get rid of the first sentence. GODDAMN IT BEN.

[Ben the Gooner]

http://calipedia.info/gif/jizz2.gif

[Ben the Gooner]

Wasn't me brah.

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

I did it, sorry :o

[Phone]

fwiw i don't support this. and i'll leave it at that before the angry villagers run me out of the board.

[beez]

Fantastic news for you guys, will be interested to hear him speak on On The Couch tonight.

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/873/1132909135526.gif

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

fwiw i don't support this. and i'll leave it at that before the angry villagers run me out of the board.

I support it because it's Hird, but I'm still wary.

[Ben the Gooner]

http://images.cheezburger.com/completestore/2010/1/9/129075086516488992.jpg

[mark1881]

:D i love james hird

[Antz]

He is an absolute champion so will be interesting to see how he goes. Hopefully he won't be another Tony Shaw or a Michael Voss. Interesting times ahead for you boys ;)

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Interesting move. Though if you could encourage Laidley into being a match day mentor and opposition analysis and get Chocco Williams as the Football Director, you;d have a fair football department.

[Mrs Mercuri]

Great way to get the support of the members back.... make the King of Essendon the senior coach :)

As long as he has some experienced assistants in the box to help him I will be happy. Goodwin, Wallis, Williams/Laidley, Richardson.... sounds very nice.

[DapperDon]

Happy but wary.

If that makes sense.

[Bombers_Insider]

Had to laugh as this Comment from that link
mason of Philippines Posted at 4:02 PM Today I'm looking forwards to watching Hird's Bombers bomb out next season.... My prediction: 16th place and the wooden sppon. You can't turn a sow's ear into a silk purse!!
Comment 8 of 14


- lol if we finish 16 we will NOT win the spoon (sppon as you call it)

some one has been in the Philippines to Long and forgot that there is now a NEW team coming in next season.

Bag our team all you like. Our win/loss will speak for it self;)

[amer]

He comes across as having more aptitude for the role than Voss, but still. No experience means it's a fair risk. Best of luck to him though :thumbsu:

[Lance Uppercut]

http://pretprieel.nl/pictures/Randy_Marsh_covered_in_ectoplasm.jpg

[Mrs Mercuri]

He comes across as having more aptitude for the role than Voss, but still. No experience means it's a fair risk. Best of luck to him though :thumbsu:

Yeah I think Ess have had a really close look into how the Voss experiment has worked out... thats why Hirdy will have so much experienced support around him in the box.

[Phone]

I don't think that at all.

[tugga]

Hird is too shrewd to be another Voss.
Would have only accepted the role if everything was soundly in place.
Like some of you guys, I'm not sure whether he is ready, but at least it is a plan and I wish him all the best.

[Beerfish]

fwiw i don't support this. and i'll leave it at that before the angry villagers run me out of the board.

I'm with you.

Glad to have Simon Goodwin on board though. :thumbsu:

[Kruzering]

Wonder if he reamin relaxed paul Roos style, or go grey and start balding.

[Kong]

fwiw i don't support this. and i'll leave it at that before the angry villagers run me out of the board.Yeah, me too.
Happy but wary.

If that makes sense.Completely agree.

I've stated a fair few times I didn't want Hird to be senior coach first up, and stated why.

I still think it has the potential to end badly, but I can't help but be absolutely excited, because, well (in no particular order):

- It's James Hird
- It isn't Matthew Knights
- The club and its supporters will be united (at least for now)
- The club's marketability will skyrocket
- The players will no doubt be reinvigorated
- The board will fully support the coach
- The senior coach will have a good, if not excellent group of assistants.

Not my first choice, but you won't hear much from me on the subject between the commencement of pre-season and the end of 2011. Hopefully he's half as good a coach as he was a player.

[Walesy]

I just have one thing to say about this.

Hird >> Voss >> Buckley

;)

[zamboyz]

Welcome back to Windy Hill Hirdy !!

[Kong]

Wonder if he reamin relaxed paul Roos style, or go grey and start balding.Can you imagine those ears without the covering of long hair? :eek:

[Beerfish]

- It's James Hird
- It isn't Matthew Knights
- The club and its supporters will be united (at least for now)
- The club's marketability will skyrocket
- The players will no doubt be reinvigorated
- The board will fully support the coach
- The senior coach will have a good, if not excellent group of assistants.

All good points and the only way it might come up smelling roses is if your last point is true.

The bolded - For how long though?

[Skeeta Olly]

fwiw i don't support this. and i'll leave it at that before the angry villagers run me out of the board.
Q Tedkins of Hop Posted at 4:20 PM Today Haters gonna hate.



Could only be you.

[Ben the Gooner]

Don't forget a few salient points:


This is James ****ing Hird
It's a fairly ****ing good coaching panel around him
James Hird

[centurion]

Happy but wary.

If that makes sense.

Same. Don't want to see him fail.

[Kong]

The bolded - For how long though?Yeah, probably should've added another "(at least for now)" to that point.

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

I doubt any of the board members would want to be known as the ones that sacked James Hird from Essendon.

[Skeeta Olly]

Welcome back to Windy Hill Hirdy !!
But, for how long?

[Phone]

Could only be you.

nup.

Don't forget a few salient points:


This is James ****ing Hird
It's a fairly ****ing good coaching panel around him
James Hird



we've got a rumour that goodwin is on it, plus richardson. that's all. so.

I doubt any of the board members would want to be known as the ones that sacked James Hird from Essendon.

yep. and the current board members want to be known as the ones who hired James Hird for Essendon. Masterstroke from the board

[Beerfish]

I need time to let this sink in. I was absolutely convinced this would not happen until yesterday.

Now I don't know whether to jizzinpants or facepalm.

Maybe I should do both..

[Ben the Gooner]

we've got a rumour that goodwin is on it, plus richardson. that's all. so.

Trust me.

[Phone]

Sorry I only trust Longy413

[Beerfish]

The same article in the OP says Goodwin is in so...

[centurion]

I need time to let this sink in. I was absolutely convinced this would not happen until yesterday.

Now I don't know whether to jizzinpants or facepalm.

Maybe I should do both..

Same.

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

But, for how long?

Next couple of years.

Because we're moving from Windy Hill.

[Beerfish]

Next couple of years.

Because we're moving from Windy Hill.

With a 3 year extension at the end of next year no matter what. Hell, it's Hirdy. Make it four years. :thumbsu:

[DapperDon]

I need time to let this sink in. I was absolutely convinced this would not happen until yesterday.

Now I don't know whether to jizzinpants or facepalm.

Maybe I should do both..

Just be careful not to jizzpants then facepalm.

very messy.

[Phone]

ew gross

[Ben the Gooner]

Om nom nom

[AS9]

Won't blow my load until it is officially announced but I am VERY excited!

[Nasty Penguin]

If Hird's 1/4 as professional as he is in the business world with the way he sees the pro's and cons of the current list then I can't see the team going backwards. I just hope the board don't screw him over and appoint dud assistants to support him. Looking forward to the official announcement and trade week :thumbsu::D:thumbsu:

[Kong]

Now I don't know whether to jizzinpants or facepalm.

Maybe I should do both..Speaking of things with the potential to end badly. :confused:

[red+black]

I feel a bit the same when Knights was appointed.

Thought there was a better candidate but will support the decision.

I don't care if Jesus Christ won three Brownlows for Essendon, I'd still prefer if he did an apprenticeship and showed he had what it takes [to coach].

[red+black]

LOL, was just thinking. How will Jimmy answer Mike's questions tonight on On The Couch?

[Eleven 38]

All good points and the only way it might come up smelling roses is if your last point is true.

The bolded - For how long though?

the board was going to support knights for 5 years if the supporters/members/coteries didnt stand up and say something, given that this is james hird and not matthew knights the board should support him for 50years atleast.....

[Houli2Gumbleton]

http://i33.tinypic.com/2m83wr8.jpg

[stugots]

bewdy:D

end of the last couple seasons has left me feeling flat with little to get really enthused about looking forward:thumbsd:

not expecting any miracles over the next couple years, but you never never know:thumbsu:

[horj89]

Very pleased to see this. I'll be even happier if Williams comes on board as an assistant.

[DaSawx]

**** being wary, this is James Hird, he can do anything, especially with a good support staff.

If there's anyone the players are gonna chase, tackle and die for, it's Sir James.

In: Hird, Goodwin, Williams?
Out: Camporeale, Hickmott, O'Donnell?

[KaaN10]

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/873/1132909135526.gif

Quoted for truth

[OzBomber]

Needs Mark Williams with him tbh. We don't want a Tim Watson to happen.

[Houli2Gumbleton]

How happy would McVeigh be right now.

[Phone]

welsh and spike to get 5 year contracts.

[HFF_07]

I will reserve my judgment on this..

[duckdog]

I feel a bit the same when Knights was appointed.

Thought there was a better candidate but will support the decision.

I don't care if Jesus Christ won three Brownlows for Essendon, I'd still prefer if he did an apprenticeship and showed he had what it takes [to coach].

Like when Coleman was appointed after 98 games??? Ya either got it or ya don't..He was a champion forward but was still a hugely respected by his players apparently...I know the game has changed blah blah... but man managers are born not made..With that many assistants surely it makes the job easier not just harder

[Big Blow Hard]

IxekfrXg0s0


Oh Wait......OOOPS! :o

[Phone]

for all the hating of him, i'm quite confident hird will never give us a moment like that.

[Darealrath]

It's exciting, especially if we get at least one of Williams and Laidley on board.

Welcome back James!

[Tony Delaney]

AS i do like everyone else have my reservations about an untried or untrained coach we are talking about James Hird. The guy is a winner. Can you imagine him doing anything and failing, i can't.

A good coaching set up will help things though.

The fans will go from one extreme to the other now.

Go Bombers.

[Phone]

he even made a thread and everything.

[tigers_of_old_08]

Congrats guys, looking forward to Hirdy strutting his stuff, now to see who his assistants are going to be.. :footy:

[The Dustbin]

I wasn't too sure earlier on when all the rumours started. However, this is James Hird; a successful and smart footballer and businessman. Besides, he will hopefully be surrounded by wise and experienced people.

His passion and love for the club is undeniable, who cares if he doesn't have coaching experience. This is James Hird, a bloke who doesn't know what failure is and is one of the most competitive and proudests player to ever play at EFC.

I have no doubt Hird will re-install the soul and passion back into EFC, and return EFC back to the top where we belong.

I am ****ing pumped with James appointment.


Please don't bring this post up in time if Hird is not a success as a coach!!

[bombersno1]

Not bad, at least it is not Richardson!

[beev]

During all the speculation I was not in favour of Hird taking over. I thought it should be given to the best available person, but now I'm warming to the idea. I'm actually starting to get pretty excited. We lost the passion for the jumper in the last 5 of so years. We need someone who can provide this, plus someone who demands respect. His anlysis on Fox Sports and in the Herald Sun has been top notch. Hirdy is the man.

Coach: James Hird
Assistants: Dean Laidley/Mark Williams, Simon Goodwin, Alan Richardson

I like the look of that.

On the Couch will be good viewing tonight.

[Phone]

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l0d90gqsMo1qbylvso1_250.gif

[Big Blow Hard]

During all the speculation I was not in favour of Hird taking over. I thought it should be given to the best available person, but now I'm warming to the idea. I'm actually starting to get pretty excited. We lost the passion for the jumper in the last 5 of so years. We need someone who can provide this, plus someone who demands respect. His anlysis on Fox Sports and in the Herald Sun has been top notch. Hirdy is the man.

Coach: James Hird
Assistants: Dean Laidley/Mark Williams, Simon Goodwin, Alan Richardson

I like the look of that.

On the Couch will be good viewing tonight.


You may as well chalk in Dean Wallis, that will most likely happen as well.
I hope he can get Danny Corcoran back to the club.

[Beerfish]

I wasn't too sure earlier on when all the rumours started. However, this is James Hird; a successful and smart footballer and businessman. Besides, he will hopefully be surrounded by wise and experienced people.

His passion and love for the club is undeniable, who cares if he doesn't have coaching experience. This is James Hird, a bloke who doesn't know what failure is and is one of the most competitive and proudests player to ever play at EFC.

I have no doubt Hird will re-install the soul and passion back into EFC, and return EFC back to the top where we belong.

I am ****ing pumped with James appointment.


Please don't bring this post up in time if Hird is not a success as a coach!!

White text is your friend. ;)

I'd take Hird over Sumich in a nanosecond. To hell with coaching experience. He can learn on the job. He's a smart guy.

[stay true]

How could anyone be a hater right now lol? I'm ****ing rapt.

[LBAX]

Hmmm, this appears to be the classic double-edged sword.

Pro: Hird will instantly unify all factions of the club - coterie, board, players, sponsors and supporters, thereby allowing the club to move forward quickly.

Pro: Looking at how Hird conducts his business interests, we can safely assume that affective man-management is one of his key skills. This will ensure that a) he doesn't do a Voss and alienate players with his arrogance and b) he can make vital decisions regarding trades and drafting without affected players feeling that they had their papers stamped already.

Pro: As the greatest Bomber behind Reynolds, Hutchinson and Coleman, he doesn't need to sell the club to anyone, thereby allowing him to focus his energies on improving the playing list.

Con: Hird's ascent to the coaching position has shown he can be utterly ruthless (this can be good and bad).

His strong relationship with the board suggests he knew first-hand the pessimism regarding Knight's outlook. He would have known that his comments regarding wanting to coach the club at some stage would let the board know of his interest - and have the side effect of weakening Knights further. His absolving of responsibility afterwards did not change this, merely leaving us to figure out if he could sort out his business interests in a way that would allow him to coach the club.

I say this is a con because the whole episode suggests that Hird and the corterie groups are currently the strongest powerbrokers at Essendon, rather than the board who have been weak and pathetic throughout this sorry saga. This tail-wagging-the-dog approach doesn't help any club in the long run.

The board shouldn't have extended Knights' contract in the first place and they should have waited for the club to complete the "promised review". The board would then have credibility as to the sacking of Knights and given the club valuable information as to where improvements were needed. The board could then admit they made the wrong decision and everyone could move on.

Con: Can he coach? Can he coax more out of existing players? What is his playing philosophy? These are all unknowns. Essendon has taken a massive gamble when proven, respected (and successful coaches) in Richardson, Laidley and Williams were all available.

Conclusion: Congratulations to Hird for being willing to pull up his sleeves and put in to help improve a club dear to him and in turmoil. He will be a good communicator who can make decisions quickly and inspire the club. However if Hird fails, sacking a favourite son will put the club back years and spell the end of the current board. The best clubs are often stable ones and the turmoil surrounding Knights' downfall will be nothing like that if Hird eventually goes.

Caveat Emptor - buyer beware.

[dave_27]

JIZZ

EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!

Exciting times at the club for the first time in donkeys years.

[markie]

Who is James Hird?





























Just joshin. BRING IT ON:thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu:

[Sam the RAMA fan]

I'll be pretty happy if this is the case.
Hird as coach and either Choco or Laidley as assistant.
Wallis should be good to.

I think we will be a better side in 2011 then 2010,
but still wont get to excited. Premiership still a long way off.
Looking forward to 'sack n trade' week. Should be interesting.

[Beerfish]

Tbf, that was probably the best non-Phone post on here for like 12 months.

I don't think we need some Hawthorn nuffy to come bargarseing in to tell us in 300 words or more what we already know.

Each to his own though.

[DaSawx]

Mmmm, Jessica Yates is so sexy talking about it :cool:

[Phone]

On other other hand, I don't really care what any of our supporters have to say on this matter, because most of them are hopelessly bias and believe Hird can resurrect the dead, so it was nice to see a well constructed post not intending to offend made by an opposition poster. Apollo Creed's posts were shit. But that guy made a good one.

[Beerfish]

On other other hand, I don't really care what any of our supporters have to say on this matter, because most of them are hopelessly bias and believe Hird can resurrect the dead, so it was nice to see a well constructed post not intending to offend made by an opposition poster. Apollo Creed's posts were shit. But that guy made a good one.

I guess it's good we have two hands.

[stay true]

Mmmm, Jessica Yates is so sexy talking about it :cool:
http://images.memegenerator.net/Maradona/ImageMacro/1868387/TIME-TO-FAP.jpg

[centurion]

http://images.memegenerator.net/Maradona/ImageMacro/1868387/TIME-TO-FAP.jpg

What the hell is he looking at? A hand from god?

[Beerfish]

He'd been sitting on that hand for an hour.

He's looking into the eyes of "the stranger". :D

[QPower]

Surely, the Board would not put a candidate with zero coaching experience into the top job.

I am not aware of any other $40,000,000 PA business that would pluck someone with no experience in any capacity in that role into the job. It could only happen in football where club boards (like Brisbane) seem to have read too many fairy tales.

[Big Blow Hard]

Surely, the Board would not put a candidate with zero coaching experience into the top job.

I am not aware of any other $40,000,000 PA business that would pluck someone with no experience in any capacity in that role into the job. It could only happen in football where club boards (like Brisbane) seem to have read too many fairy tales.


Maybe not, but I am sure we could all reel off a heap of $40,000,000 + PA bussinesses that were built from the ground up by someone who had very little to no knowledge of the bussiness world. James Hird knows the game better than most, he played it for over 12 years. Right there is plenty of experience already. JAmes Hird was more than just a player on the field as well, Sheedy has said Hird was the onfield coach throughout his career, so I think he can make a great fist of it. James Hird has a smarter football brain than most of the current coaches. He will be great. Forget the romance.

[Big Blow Hard]

BTW. Leigh Matthews was assistant to Bob Rose for only 3 games before he became Collingwoods head coach. He ended up doing pretty well for an inexperienced coach. A flag 4 years later. and 3 more since.

[Noddy Holder]

The most excited I've been for five years.:thumbsu:

[Bomber32]

Welcome back to Essendon, Sir James!:thumbsu::thumbsu::thumbsu:

I'm absolutely stoked about it.:)

[AS9]

In all serious though what most impressed me about what he had to say on On The Couch was that we'll be getting back to a gameplan that can win premierships. Good hard contested footy and a lot of defensive pressure. Things that were non existant under Matthew Knights.

He also understands that he has lots to learn and will be looking at getting the best possible coaching team around him so he can learn on the way, taking the focus away from the head coach.

[OzBomber]

Fletcher has to play until he's 40 now... surely?

Lloyd ruled himself out for next year, but I can still see him coming back after that.

The 2000 boys all coming back. It does give me tingles.

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

fletcher has to play until he's 40 now... Surely?

Lloyd ruled himself out for next year, but i can still see him coming back after that.

the 2000 boys all coming back. It does give me tingles.


**** Yeah Essendon's back baby

[JD11]

Now he can train our entire team to be him!

[Wahooti Fandango]

On other other hand, I don't really care what any of our supporters have to say on this matter, because most of them are hopelessly bias and believe Hird can resurrect the dead, so it was nice to see a well constructed post not intending to offend made by an opposition poster. Apollo Creed's posts were shit. But that guy made a good one.

Apollo always posts shit. Also, I seem to recall that I was very critical of the sacking of Knights. However, I did say that the new coach would not be the Messiah, unless it was Hird.

[Cheapies]

Now he can train our entire team to be him!


HAHAHAHA! Gold:thumbsu:

[Knightmare]

I love the way Malthouse, Matthews and Sheedy used to coach Collingwood, Brisbane and Essendon.

I love how it is Buckley, Voss and Hird now.

All had great rivalries and I hope they all build up great rivalries as coaches also. All greats of the game as players and hopefully they all become great coaches.

I do like the way Mick - Buckley was arranged and I am genuinely worried for Hird. I see Hird going into rebuilding mode after season 1. This list is young and can improve, but I'm not all that sold on your list so I do think this will be very challenging for Hird to meet expectations.

I'm a big believer in senior coaches getting some coaching experience and going through as an assistant under a quality senior coach for a few years. I do believe Buckley will benefit from this and Hird + Voss will suffer to some extent because of it.

I hope all three are successes. Will need some big time assistants around him. Will not be easy. Can he do it? Possibly. But I do have my doubts.

Hope he proves me wrong.

[donsman4eva]

Was it just me or was Sean Wellman mentioned as a possible assistant on Footy Classified?