Dean Solomon Leaves Essendon After Caretaker Coaching
Dean Solomon, the 2000 premiership player who served as Essendon’s caretaker coach, announced he will not take up any position at the club next season. After a year away from his family in Kingscliff, the 46‑year‑old chose to prioritize home life over a coaching offer from new head coach Mark McVei…
By Felo News Desk · Published
After a brief stint as caretaker senior coach, former Essendon premiership player Dean Solomon has confirmed he will not return to the club in any capacity for the 2027 season. The decision comes after the club’s new head coach, former teammate Mark McVeigh, offered Solomon a range of roles, including senior assistant and director of coaching. Solomon said that the pull of family life in Kingscliff, northern New South Wales, and his own health‑and‑wellness business there, outweighed the opportunity to stay on with the Bombers.
From Player to Board Member and Interim Coach
Solomon’s journey with Essendon began as a player, where he appeared in 158 senior games and was part of the club’s 2000 premiership side. After hanging up his boots, he returned to the Bombers in 2024 as a board member, before joining the coaching staff as an assistant under Brad Scott in October of that year. When Scott was dismissed in May 2026, Solomon was promoted to caretaker senior coach, a role he held until the end of the season.
During his caretaker tenure, the Bombers struggled, winning only one of twelve games amid a season plagued by injuries. Solomon opted not to apply for the permanent head‑coach position, which was ultimately awarded to McVeigh over former coaches James Hird, Jamie Graham and Murray Davis.
Family First: The Decision to Leave
In a statement released on September 18, 2026, Solomon explained that the decision was driven by his desire to be closer to his wife and children. “I have been incredibly grateful for the opportunity to give back to a football club that has given me so much,” he said. “But my family is settled in northern New South Wales, and the past few months have shown me that it just is not the right time to be away from my young family year on year.”
Solomon also highlighted his commitment to a health‑and‑wellness venture he runs in Kingscliff, noting that the business and his family’s well‑being were priorities that could not be compromised by remaining in Melbourne.
Impact on Essendon and the Path Forward
Essendon’s president Andrew Welsh praised Solomon’s contributions, stating that “Solly is an Essendon person first and foremost.” Welsh added that Solomon’s coaching decisions were always aligned with the club’s long‑term direction, rather than short‑term results. The Bombers will now focus on restructuring their football department as they prepare for the upcoming trade and draft periods.
With the club holding the No. 1 draft pick, there is speculation that former skipper Zach Merrett may join Hawthorn. Essendon’s leadership is expected to use the draft to address key gaps in the playing list while maintaining a strong culture built on Solomon’s legacy.
What Happens Next?
While Solomon will no longer be involved with the Bombers, his departure leaves a vacancy in the senior coaching staff that the club will need to fill. McVeigh’s first season will likely focus on integrating new talent from the draft and solidifying the team’s structure. For Solomon, the move back to Kingscliff means a return to his roots and the opportunity to grow his wellness business while remaining connected to the game from a distance.
As Essendon navigates the off‑season, the club’s future will hinge on how effectively it can blend experienced leadership with fresh talent, a challenge that Solomon’s tenure, though brief, helped to illuminate.
For fans and analysts alike, Solomon’s decision underscores the importance of balancing professional ambition with personal well‑being—a narrative that will resonate throughout the AFL community in the coming months.
Key facts
- Dean Solomon will not return to Essendon for 2027
- He declined senior assistant and director of coaching roles
- Family commitments in Kingscliff were the main reason
- Essendon’s president praised his long‑term focus
- The club holds the No. 1 draft pick for a rebuild
Why it matters
Solomon’s exit highlights the personal sacrifices often required in elite sports coaching and signals a shift in Essendon’s leadership strategy as the club rebuilds for the future.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Dean Solomon decide to leave Essendon after being offered coaching roles?
He cited the need to be closer to his wife and children in Kingscliff and to focus on his health‑and‑wellness business there.
What was Solomon’s record as caretaker senior coach?
He guided the Bombers to one win in twelve games during a season heavily impacted by injuries.
How did Essendon’s president describe Solomon’s contribution?
President Andrew Welsh said Solomon was an Essendon person first and that his decisions were always aimed at the club’s long‑term direction.
What are Essendon’s plans for the upcoming trade and draft periods?
The club will use its No. 1 draft pick to address key gaps and continues to review its football department operations.
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “AFL 2026: Dean Solomon to depart Essendon Football Club after stint as caretaker coach”
