Don Pyke follows gut and quits Adelaide Crows after four seasons in charge as head coach

Don Pyke has denied that he had “lost” the playing group or been pushed by the club’s hierarchy after sensationally stepping down as Adelaide coach after four seasons in charge.

An emotional Don Pyke has quit the Adelaide Crows with two years left on his contract because the club needed “clean air”.

Pyke on Thursday said his agonising decision to walk away as senior coach — and potentially leave more than a million dollars on the table — was based on “what was best for the football club’’.

But he denied that he had “lost” the playing group or been pushed by the club’s hierarchy after consecutive seasons without finals following the 2017 grand final loss.

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Don Pyke in what was his last game as Crows coach against the Western Bulldogs. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

His departure after four years in charge comes in the middle of an external review into the club’s football operations, just a week after co-captain Taylor Walker relinquished the co-captaincy and as key uncontracted players are linked with rival clubs.

Revealing the full toll that being an AFL coach had taken on him and his family — wife Jodie and daughters Ashton and Chandler — Pyke said his stunning exit had nothing to do with the club’s external review, which has the entire football department under the gun.

“This decision has been extraordinarily difficult to reach and I do so following some serious and honest post-season reflections and conversations with a number of key people, including players, coaches, management, board and my family and friends,’’ he said, adding that his “gut-feel’’ was that the time was right to leave.

“I appreciate the club is undertaking a comprehensive review of the football operations but it’s important to know that the timing and outcome of this review has played no bearing in my decision.

“This is not a decision I have taken lightly but clearly the team’s recent performance and the current state of the club and the playing group is not to our or my expectations and for this, in my role, I ultimately accept responsibility.

“There were a number of factors and considerations in making this decision but with a clear appreciation that changes are required, so in the end it came down to what I felt were in the best interests of the team and the club.”

Pyke said he didn’t feel that he had lost the respect of his players but felt the group needed a change.

“I questioned whether I was a part of the solution,” he said.

“I believe the club needs some clean air and a fresh page to move forward and feel that for me to continue would potentially hold back progress to move positively into next season.

“It has been an absolute privilege and joy to coach this club and I’ve loved my time here.

“But it is time for me to move on knowing that I have given it my all and that it’s best to make way to allow a fresh and new voice to set a new direction.’’

Pyke, who coached the club to 56 wins, one draw and 36 losses and two finals campaigns in his four years at the helm from 2016-19 after replacing the late Phil Walsh and caretaker Scott Camporeale, said he had been mulling his decision since the end of the season, which finished with a six-goal loss to the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat on August 25.

The Crows lost seven of their last nine games this season to finish 11th with a 10-12 record — a year after finishing 12th at 12-10.

Pyke said he approached chairman Rob Chapman and chief executive Andrew Fagan on the weekend to tell them he was considering his position.

He then informed them on Wednesday night that he wanted out.

Pyke, who said he was “keen’’ to keep coaching in some capacity, spoke to the playing group at 12.30pm on Thursday at the club’s West Lakes headquarters before his 2pm press conference.

Pyke, who was strong in his comments about the AFL landscape and the toll it had taken on him and his family.

“There’s no doubt it’s a unique environment (the AFL) and it’s challenging. The game’s about people, and sometimes we lose sight of that.

“The pressure in this game is significant … I think there’s a line and I think we’re treading carefully.

“I hope that in the future we can find a better balance on how we view the game, regardless of result, otherwise I fear for people’s genuine love of the game.”

Chapman said the club was losing a quality person of high integrity, but Pyke’s decision wouldn’t affect the club’s list management decisions or ongoing external review.

“Conversations are ongoing with players, player-managers, other clubs. I don’t think we’ll miss anything there … This club is in really good shape.

“He’s an A-grade person with great values, he sets high standards, so this (to lose him) is sad.

“But the pause button hasn’t been pushed in our football club. There are numerous things going on and programs of work that are underway that at this time of the year we all do.

Chapman said a panel “made up of the right people” would be announced in coming days and it would “go through an extensive and expansive search to find the next person to coach the club”.

Former Crows defender Ben Rutten, who is an assistant at Essendon, is the early favourite to replace Pyke ahead of former Brisbane coach Michael Voss, currently Ken Hinkley’s right-hand man at Port Adelaide, and Hawthorn assistant and Norwood product Scott Burns.

Sacked Fremantle coach Ross Lyon and current Crows assistant Scott Camporeale are also considered strong contenders.

Pyke’s stunning demise comes just two years after he led Adelaide to a minor premiership and grand final.

The Crows were upset in the big dance by Richmond and have been beset with problems since.

The grand final loss was followed by Jake Lever and Charlie Cameron walking out on the club days later.

Then there was the infamous pre-season camp on the Gold Coast, a hamstring injury crisis, two seasons of under performance and now key players like Sam Jacobs, Eddie Betts and Alex Keath wanting out.

Members of the Crows Supporters Group said the news had them feeling excited for next season.

Banner coordinator Dylan Clark, 35, describe Pyke as an “honourable” coach, but said whether you’re “a nice guy or a bad guy, it’s a cut-throat environment”.

“There still needs to be a lot more change, you don’t finish with just one person,” he said.

“It’s good step in the right direction. As much as I think it’s sad that he’s gone, I’m quite upbeat for next season.”

Supporter Danni Gower, 67, said: “We need someone who can get the boys going and get that passion back that we used to have.”

The highs and lows of Don Pyke

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Originally published as Don Pyke follows gut and quits Adelaide Crows after four seasons in charge as head coach