AFL: John Longmire quits as Sydney Swans coach

John Longmire has resigned as coach of the Sydney Swans, the club confirmed on Tuesday.

Dean Cox, who has served as an assistant coach at the Swans for many years, will take over the reins for the 2025 AFL season.

Longmire, meanwhile, will move into a new role as executive director of club performance.

“I had been wrestling with the decision about whether I would coach on for 2025 since about midway through last season,” he said in a statement.

“The team was travelling really well — in fact this year as good as we ever have. However, even during this year with the team’s superb on-field form and our football department working really well in support, I felt in myself that my time as coach of the club was coming towards a close.

“After such a long time coaching, the week in, week out, really does start to wear on you. I feel that I need to step back from coaching to rest, reflect and regenerate.”

Longmire’s resignation brings an end to an impressive reign that spans 14 seasons, five grand finals, a premiership and two AFLCA Coach of the Year awards.

Having taken over from Paul Roos in 2011, the former North Melbourne champion went on to coach the Swans in a club-record 333 AFL games.

Speculation around Longmire’s future arose after Sydney suffered a heavy defeat to the Brisbane Lions in the 2024 grand final — his fourth loss as coach in a title decider.

“I knew Dean was ready and it just made sense to hand over. It would have been nice to finish with a flag, as I did as a player, but that wasn’t to be,” Longmire continued.

“I am genuinely excited for Dean. He will be a fantastic coach and will give the role a new lease of life and take it to another level.”

Cox was considered a leading contender for the West Coast job after Adam Simpson’s departure partway through last season, but the former Eagle took himself out of the running.

“Just as John was the beneficiary of a transition into the role from Paul Roos, I am very pleased to have been mentored into this role by John,” he said.

“It is very much part of the Swans way, and I’m extremely excited for next year and beyond.

“I’m grateful to John for his support of me and for being a great coaching mentor. Having him remain at the club is fantastic as it will allow everyone right across the organisation to draw on his vast experience.”

The news appears to have had an effect on outright betting markets for the 2025 AFL Premiership, with online bookmakers moving the Swans from opening odds of $7 out to $10 to win the flag next year.

Sports news