John Longmire steps down as coach of Sydney Swans

Sydney coach John Longmire has stepped down as Swans coach, effective immediately.

Longmire, the club’s longest-serving coach, was contracted for 2025 but has stepped into a new role as executive director of club performance.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: John Longmire drops AFL bombshell.

7NEWS understands Longmire has been contemplating life after the Swans in the wake of the club’s shocking 2024 grand final loss.

He considered taking an extended absence from the game, but in more recent times has considered walking away completely.

Assistant coach Dean Cox, who knocked back the opportunity to become West Coast’s coach, has been confirmed as Longmire’s replacement on a four-year deal.

“In making the decision to move on, it is important to me that I leave the role with the club in great shape, enjoying record crowds, a world-class HQ, a wonderful playing list, an experienced coaching team, and quality football department,” Longmire said.

“I had been wrestling with the decision about whether I would coach on for 2025 since about midway through last season.

“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.

“I’ve always been interested in the strategic areas of the club’s growth, and as time has gone on, I’ve felt myself being drawn more and more towards this aspect. After a bit more time to rest, I’m looking forward to helping the club on its path of continuous improvement both on and off the field.

“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.

“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.”

Longmire, 53, has been in charge of the AFL club since 2011 after initially joining the Swans as an assistant coach for the 2002 season.

Longmire delivered the Swans the 2012 premiership in just his second year in charge then coached the club to grand final losses in 2014, 2016, 2022 and 2024.

The Swans were thrashed in the final two of those morale-sapping defeats, most recently entering the 2024 decider as hot favourites before being belted by Brisbane in a 10-goal loss.

Longmire himself was part of a succession plan, taking over from 2005 premiership mentor Paul Roos at the end of 2010.

A champion player at North Melbourne, Longmire kicked 511 goals in 200 games, winning the Coleman Medal in 1990 and a premiership in 1999.

He has coached Sydney 333 times, for 208 wins, three draws and 122 losses, earning an exemplary winning percentage of 62.91 per cent, and missing the finals just twice in 14 seasons.

Of those to have coached more than 150 games, only Chris Scott, Dick Reynolds, Jock McHale, Tom Hafey and Frank Hughes have achieved a better winning percentage.

- With AAP