The Sydney Swans' longest serving coach, John Longmire is departing his role in the Harbour City to take up a post with the rebuilding Essendon Bombers.
The 55-year-old has been linked to almost every senior coaching vacancy that has arisen since surrendering the senior coaching duties at the Swans, but instead has opted to become the general manager of AFL performance at the Hangar.
The 2012 premiership coach handed the reins of the Swans to long-time assistant John Longmire at the conclusion of the 2024 campaign, as part of a succession plan.
Longmire then became the club's executive director of club performance, a role he has held since.
Notably, Longmire had been understandably linked to a romantic reunion with the club he represented as a player, the North Melbourne Kangaroos, but put that speculation to bed last Tuesday.
Longmire coached 333 games for the Bloods, is a two-time Coach of the Year, and has spent 24 years inside the Moore Park headquarters of the fabled side.
Longmire thanked the many people he has crossed paths with over his storied tenure with the Swans in a statement on Monday afternoon.
“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved with the club of 25 years for their professionalism, dedication, and desire to improve. There are far too many people to list here who have supported myself and my family during my time. The relationships I have formed over more than two decades, and the memories we have as a family, will always stay with me and something I will always treasure.
“I am really excited to be given this opportunity at Essendon working alongside Mark McVeigh and I'm looking forward to getting started.”
The Bombers created the role very recently, and saw Longmire as the perfect person to fill it.
Essendon CEO Tim Roberts said Longmire's experience and leadership made him the standout candidate.
"John's football experience and leadership are exactly what we have been looking for in this role," Roberts said.
“We have made no secret of our ambition to build a football program capable of delivering sustained success, and bringing in someone of John's calibre is a significant investment in that goal.
The Bombers' statement described the role as one that will "oversee game strategy, player development, leadership, the coaching group, performance analytics and strength and conditioning."
We’re pleased to announce the appointment of John Longmire to the newly created position of General Manager of Performance 🤝https://t.co/zB5QddaOaA
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) September 28, 2026
The appointment likely puts to bed speculation about a potential play for Brisbane Lions architect Danny Daly, and reunites Longmire with his former assistant, in Mark McVeigh.
Sydney Swans Chairman Andrew Pridham thanked Longmire for his outstanding service to the Club.
“John is a much-loved and respected figure at the Sydney Swans. Put simply, he is a legend of our club,” Pridham said.
"John loves his family and this football club, and the feeling is mutual.
“While we will miss him enormously, we wish him the very best with his new challenge.
“John's connection with multiple generations of players, coaches, staff and fans has been incredibly strong. He has positively impacted the lives and careers of the many people who have passed through our doors over almost a quarter of a century.
“He leaves us as a great friend, a valued colleague and, of course, a premiership coach. That will never change.
“Once a Blood, always a Blood.”
