Former Swans premiership coach John Longmire has reportedly ruled out a return to a senior coaching role for 2026 and will not pursue the recent opening at the Melbourne Demons, according to SEN's Gerard Whateley.
Longmire had quickly been earmarked as a favourite to become the Demons next senior coach after Simon Goodwin was suddenly sacked on Tuesday, with an extensive resume of success at the Swans, but Whateley has suggested the 2012 premiership coach is not ready to make a return to the coaching ranks eight months after resigning from his role as senior coach at Sydney.
"John Longmire will not make a return to coaching in 2026. The Sydney premiership coach has decided it is simply too soon to contemplate a return to the coaching ranks, having been out of the job for only eight months," Whateley said on Saturday morning.
"Subsequent to his segment on AFL 360 on Wednesday night, Longmire embarked on a little introspection, knowing he would be the subject of this question until he reached an answer in his own mind, understanding there would be an inquiry at some point from Melbourne.
"He wanted to have made a decision in his own mind rather than stringing anyone along, and that decision is not to coach for the time being.
"He spoke on 360 of the family time that he's enjoying outside of the cauldron of coaching and I wouldn't underestimate how much he's enjoying the corporate work, how stimulating he finds the executive role in Sydney.
"So, on the coaching landscape, you can rule John Longmire out. He won't be coaching in 2026."
While Longmire dropping out of the race may not seem ideal for Melbourne, there are still a plethora of quality AFL coaches-in-waiting they could turn their attention to as the hunt for their next head coach ramps up.
The list includes 2018 premiership coach Adam Simpson, former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley and Brisbane football boss Danny Daly, who Lions coach Chris Fagan referenced as a strong candidate for the job.
Longmire may still become a potential target to coach the Tasmania expansion team, which is set to enter the AFL in the 2028 premiership season.
