Dean Cox, Sydney assistant coach, West Coast Eagles new senior coach, Footy Classified
Despite Sydney assistant coach and former Eagles player Dean Cox withdrawing from the race to become West Coast’s next senior coach, there could still be a chance to land him in WA.
According to Nine’s Damian Barrett, the Eagles are refusing to close the door on Cox and are convinced they can have one last crack at luring him back to Perth.
Cox publicly jumped out of the race in July, declaring his loyalty to the Swans, where has he been an assistant since 2017.
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There are strong suggestions that he is being primed to take over from Swans premiership coach John Longmire in the coming years.
However, Barrett isn’t convinced that will deter the Eagles from giving Cox one last call to fill the role left by axed leader Adam Simpson.
Dean Cox has been an assistant at Sydney since 2017. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Simpson and the Eagles parted ways with just six games left in the Eagles’ 2024 campaign, with the club publicly declaring their search for a new coach would begin right away.
“It’s not a definitive ‘no’ in their eyes,” Barrett said on Nine’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night.
“The fact (is) that the Eagles know that there’s going to be another question to be asked of Dean Cox once the completion of the Sydney Swans’ season is in play.”
The Eagles are convinced that after the dust settles from the Swans’ finals campaign, Cox could be open to discussions.
Jarrad Schofield, Interim Head Coach of the Eagles speaks to his players during round 19 against St Kilda. via Getty Images
“The distractions attached to a senior assistant coach in the finals mix is something they (Eagles) didn’t want to get involved with. Dean Cox and the Swans didn’t want to be at play either,” Barrett said.
Barrett is confident the Eagles will attempt to talk to Cox in the off-season.
“The question, I know for a fact, will be asked again, the moment the Sydney Swans season is over,” he said.
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It comes as Essendon assistant Daniel Giansiracusa joined Carlton’s Ashley Hansen in officially withdrawing from the Eagles coaching race.
Interim coach Jarrad Schofield will likely be in the race, although he has not publicly confirmed or denied his interest in continuing at the top.
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