West Coast Eagles 2024: Adam Simpson’s coaching tenure ends after months of speculation

Adam Simpson and West Coast will part ways, with Eagles’ assistant coach Jarrad Schofield confirmed as caretaker. But if he starts this weekend or next weekend is still up in the air.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – JULY 09: Adam Simpson addresses the media with Don Pyke (WCE CEO) and Paul Fitzpatrick (WCE Chair) after the West Coast Eagles and senior coach Adam Simpson mutually agreed that his 11-year tenure at the club will come to an end during a West Coast Eagles AFL press conference at Mineral Resources Park on July 09, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Adam Simpson’s long-time manager said the outgoing West Coast coach is yet to commit to a farewell game as head coach of the Eagles after mutually agreeing to part ways with the club on Tuesday.

The premiership-winning coach Simpson’s long-time manager Shane Casley said on Tuesday night if his client had his way he would drift off quietly into the background without a farewell game.

But he said he was still considering coaching the game against Brisbane given the club’s determination to give him a fitting send-off.

“It’s not him. It’s not his style. It is 100 per cent up for him to decide so he will make up his mind over the next 24 hours,” he told this masthead.

“There are a lot of pros and cons and the pros probably outweigh the cons. He isn’t big on that stuff, so it’s probably up to others to convince him to coach (this weekend).”

Casley said the decision was truly mutual given the club had made clear that it did not see him coaching out his contract next season.

Adam Simpson is unsure if he will coach on the weekend. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

When that was made clear to Simpson on Monday afternoon in key meetings with chief executive Don Pyke, he was happy to call time on his premiership career.

“As Adam said, he wanted to know whether he was in their plans for next year. It was all we were asking for last year. It dragged on and on and became a media circus, and he didn’t want that this year. When it was clear the club was heading in another direction, the right call was made for everybody.”

He said Simpson would take time off but after 31 years in the AFL industry he would be in demand if he chose to take up a role in time.

“He has been in footy for 31 years. He has experience as the captain of a footy club, he has coached a footy club and he’s a premiership coach. He has seen the highs and lows of footy and we know how popular he is.”

West Coast assistant Jarrad Schofield has been appointed the Eagles interim senior coach after the club parted ways with Adam Simpson on Tuesday.

Simpson will depart with a premiership as a profound legacy. And you would imagine with a large degree of relief. This has dragged on forever. It wasn't fair on him by the end https://t.co/2vYjG3bXrN

— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) July 9, 2024

Schofield, currently the club’s midfield coach, played 63 games for West Coast before being traded to Port Adelaide in 1998, where he played in the Power’s 2004 premiership.

Schofield turned to coaching after retiring and went on to steer Subiaco to three WAFL premierships in 2014, 2015 and 2018.

He returned to Port Adelaide in 2019 as an assistant coach, reuniting with premiership teammates Brett Montgomery and Dean Brogan.

Schofield returned to the Eagles’ ahead of the 2022 season and has been one of Simpson’s top-rated assistants ever since, known for his hard line approach.

Simpson still has the option of coaching a farewell game against Brisbane on Sunday but is yet to reach a decision. If he declines the Eagles’ offer, Schofield will assume immediate responsibility as senior coach.

Schofield could treat the opportunity as a dress rehearsal if he has any aspirations to become West Coast’s next senior coach. But the club is expected to cast a wide net to find the best candidate, with the Eagles’ wish list expected to include former players and current assistant coaches Dean Cox (Sydney), Ashley Hansen (Carlton) and Jaymie Graham (Fremantle).

EAGLES CONFIRM ‘MUTUAL’ SEPARATION FROM SIMPSON

After weeks of speculation, Simpson and first-year chief executive Don Pyke met on Monday evening to address his future. It was decided that after 11 years at the helm, losing 53 of his last 61 games, that Simpson would step down as senior coach with one year remaining on his contract. The decision was ratified by the board on Tuesday.

Both parties said that their union had reached a natural conclusion.

“We respect that the past three years have been tough on the club but particularly on Adam as the coach,” Pyke said. “The discussions that I had with Adam and the board were that it was time.

“It’s time for a change and time for a refresh of our program and to Adam’s credit, he always puts the club first and he accepted that that was going to be the position and that he had no more to give.”

"We haven't made that call just yet, Pykey."

Watch Adam Simpson's press conference: https://t.co/CscXb6InVgpic.twitter.com/nPA0VaakgZ

— AFL (@AFL) July 9, 2024

Simpson expressed a mixture of sadness and relief to be departing the club but he’ll forever be a part of West Coast’s history after leading the Eagles to the 2018 premiership.

“I feel like the time is right,” he said. “I’ve been reasonably stoic across the past few years about the direction of the club and how it’s a slow burn and it’s going to take a bit of time.

“My position hasn’t changed.

“I don’t know how shocked everyone is to be honest. There’s been a bit of tension in the last few years and last few weeks in particular.

Adam Simpson addresses the media with Don Pyke and Paul Fitzpatrick on Tuesday. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

“When it started to happen again a bit this year, I spoke to Don and it worked out pretty quick about what the long-term direction is. It feels like the time is right.

“The future for me, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ve still got the passion for the game. I probably need a break to be honest. There’s a sense of a bit of relief and sadness is probably what I feel at the moment and optimism for our playing group.

“It’s going to take a bit of time but I’ve got confidence that whoever is going to take over next is going to drive those standards and help you get the best out of yourselves. I’ll be sitting in the stands watching.”

Club officials have offered Simpson the opportunity to coach one last time on Sunday against Brisbane. But that offer is yet to be accepted by Simpson.

“We haven’t made that call just yet Pykey,” Simpson said. “I don’t know.

“I need to get through today. As much as you’re prepared a little bit, I’m not quite sure.”

Pyke said that the club would immediately starting the process to appoint its next senior coach but he wouldn’t be drawn into potential targets, including premiership Eagle and former Swans colleague Dean Cox. Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham and former Eagle/current Carlton line coach Ashley Hansen are also expected to be high on West Coast’s wish list.

“We’ll start that process now,” Pyke said. “I’ve always been really strong that you deal with your situation until your situation changes.

Adam Simpson has departed West Coast. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

“Clearly today, our situation changes. We’re in the market for a new coach and that process still start now.

“We’ll put together a list of people to approach and start talking to them about leading the club going forward.

“We don’t sit here today happy that we’re sitting here. The next appointment becomes important.”

The Eagles have said Jarrad Schofield will be the interim coach for the rest of the season.

The board unanimously backed Simpson to continue as head coach in August last year. Simpson is now expected to receive a $1 million payout, making the decision to part ways more palatable. But Chair Paul Fitzpatrick said last year’s decision centred on Simpson’s coaching ability being hampered by extenuating circumstances.

“Last year we were facing completely different circumstances to what we’ve been facing the last few weeks this season,” Fitzpatrick said. “We’d had two season in 22 and 23 which had been severely impacted by COVID and injury.

“We’d made several changes to the football department and we changed our CEO as well. Last year, we knew we had a good coach who hadn’t had an opportunity for two years to coach the team. We were concerned about stability at the club as well.

“I think there have been some significant improvements on-field, especially when it comes to availability of players and fitness. But we do get to a time now where we all agree that it’s the right time to look for someone else.”

Originally published as West Coast Eagles 2024: Adam Simpson’s coaching tenure ends after months of speculation