It's the question which is capturing the attention of the footy world following Essendon's sacking of Brad Scott.
Should James Hird return to coach the Bombers?
Hird has a 48-1-49 record at the helm, but oversaw the club's darkest chapter.
Now 53, he put forward his case on Channel 9's Footy Classified earlier this week, asserting he is much better equipped now, having held a director of coaching role at Port Melbourne since the start of last year.
Zero Hanger's editorial team has its say.
Jonty Ralphsmith NO
The spectre of James Hird feels like it will loom over Essendon like a dark cloud until he is given another chance, and his pitch on national television on Tuesday night would surely have cast doubt in the minds of other prospective candidates.
Essendon needs to move quickly to rule him out if he is not being genuinely considered and that is exactly what the club should do so it can run a thorough process, rather than one that will be compromised due to Hird's presence.
Taking away the esteem his name holds at Essendon for one moment: Hird is a man who has not coached at AFL level for more than a decade, during which period the game has changed significantly, and by extension, the demands and expectations of a senior coach.
He has been a director of coaching for the past 18 months at VFL club Port Melbourne. It is exceedingly rare to select someone to assume the mantle of senior coach without recent experience in AFL club-land. It's exactly why Nathan Buckley has taken up a role at Geelong this year - and he only finished up in 2021, compared to 2015 for Hird.
The sentiment that an Essendon person is needed to restore the spirit was a smart one which was pushed by Hird on Tuesday given how well placed he is to do that, having been there in the glory days.
But it is shallow naivety to believe that is necessary. Chris Scott was not a Geelong person before transforming the Cattery into one of the most successful sporting clubs in Australia. Neither Alastair Clarkson before leading a dynasty. Nor Damien Hardwick when he arrived at a premiership-starved Richmond. The list goes on.
Pick the best candidate for the job. With the market as strong as ever for a club seeking a coach, with proven performers John Longmire, Adam Simpson, Buckley and Ken Hinkley on the market as well as well regarded assistants James Rahilly, Hayden Skipworth and Adrian Hickmott, there is objectively no way that is Hird.
