Dean Cox: West Coast Eagles great set to be announced as new coach of Sydney Swans after John Longmire resigns

West Coast great Dean Cox has been announced as the new coach of the Sydney Swans following John Longmire’s bombshell resignation. Cox, a 2006 premiership player for the Eagles, was the frontrunner for his former club’s vacant coaching position at the end of last season but knocked it back to remain at the Swans as an assistant. Longmire was contracted for 2025 but has quit, effective immediately, with Sydney confirming his decision to step down on Tuesday. The 53-year-old admitted he had been contemplating calling time on his coaching career for a while, before the Swans’ shock grand final defeat to Brisbane. “I had been wrestling with the decision about whether I would coach on for 2025 since about midway through last season,” Longmire said. “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 will take “a bit more time to rest” before returning to the club in a newly-created role for 2025, as Executive Director - Club Performance. He said he was “genuinely excited” for Cox to take over as senior coach. “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 said. “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 said he was looking forward to the next chapter, signing a four-year deal. “I’m extremely excited for next year and beyond,” Cox said. “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. “It’s an honour to take the baton from John. I understand the enormous responsibility this role brings, and I’m looking forward to getting to work and continuing the success of this great club for our loyal supporters.” Cox played 290 games for West Coast, winning the club’s best and fairest award in 2008 and was named All-Australian six times. The 43-year-old is widely considered one of the greatest ruckmen of the modern era. Appointed Sydney coach in 2011, Longmire led the club to the 2012 premiership, has reached four other grand finals and only missed finals twice in his career in 14 seasons at the helm. His overall record stands at 208 wins from 333 matches.