‘Not looking at anyone else’: Will Schofield identifies West Coast’s next coach

A West Coast premiership player has declared the Eagles’ No. 1 target to be the club’s next head coach has been identified.

Steven King is reportedly the front runner. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

A West Coast premiership player has declared who he expects to be named the club’s new senior coach.

Will Schofield said Steven King, who is assisting Chris Scott at Geelong, will be the club’s new coach after Adam Simpson departed in July.

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Fox Footy’s Schofield, who played in the Eagles’ 2018 premiership triumph, reported his intel on AFL Tonight, claiming King would join the Eagles once the Cats’ finals campaign comes to a conclusion.

“Steven King — he’s the man that I’m hearing is the number one target for the West Coast Eagles,” Schofield told Fox Footy on Wednesday night.

“His resume — there’s not a lot more that he could’ve done. He’s coached across four clubs, he’s been a captain at a football club, he’s a best-and-fairest winner, and he’s a premiership player.

“He’s been coaching, he’s got the experience that others on that list don’t have, and I think he’s the guy that West Coast wants.

“So, King would be the number one guy for mine ... I don’t think they’re looking at anyone else, it’s a coach that’s coaching in the finals right now in Steven King with Geelong at present.

“Once they are done and dusted, I expect that to be announced.”

Steven King appears to be in the box seat. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

As Schofield notes, King isn’t a stranger to head-coaching, having assumed the interim mantle at Gold Coast last year when Stuart Dew was dismissed — coaching the Suns to two wins from seven games to close the 2023 campaign.

King also coached at St Kilda (2010-11) and the Western Bulldogs (2011-21) — and he was a part of the coaching panel that led the Dogs to their 2016 premiership.

The 45-year-old left Carrara for Kardinia Park in the off-season, returning to the club for which he played 193 games between 1996 and 2007.

Among the other considerations for the position are Melbourne assistant Andrew McQualter — who was pipped by Adem Yze for Richmond’s then-vacant role and also has senior-coaching experience — the Western Bulldogs’ Brendon Lade and emerging GWS assistant Brett Montgomery.

Of course, interim mentor Jarrad Schofield has also put his hat in the ring, coaching the Eagles in their final seven games this year — for a 2-5 record.

West Coast premiership player and current right-hand man to John Longmire in Sydney, Dean Cox ruled himself out of contention, as have up-and-coming Carlton assistant Ash Hansen, Fremantle’s Jaymie Graham, Port Adelaide’s Josh Carr and Essendon’s Daniel Giansiracusa.

It has also been reported Fox Footy’s Nathan Buckley rejected the Eagles’ advances.

The Eagles finished in third-last position on the ladder this year with a 5-18 record, and they currently hold Pick 3 at November’s national draft.

Originally published as ‘Not looking at anyone else’: Will Schofield identifies West Coast’s next coach