Dean Cox's revelation about wife as Swans assistant makes shock call on West Coast AFL job

Swans assistant coach Dean Cox has ruled himself out of the race for the West Coast Eagles job, revealing his wife and kids are too settled in Sydney to leave. The West Coast champion was thought to be the front-runner to become the new head coach of the Eagles, but confirmed on Friday that he won't be pursuing it.

The Eagles are on the hunt for a new senior coach after Adam Simpson's departure, but it won't be Cox. "I am extremely happy in Sydney, and I believe this is the best place for me and my family at the moment," Cox said in a statement. "My two girls are 8 and 11 and have made solid friendships at school, and my wife is running a new business which she is passionate about, so we feel staying in Sydney is the best option for us right now."

Cox is a legend at West Coast, having played 290 games for the club from 2001 to 2014 - including the 2006 premiership triumph. The 42-year-old revolutionised the role of ruckman with his elite running capabilities, and effectively became an extra midfielder at ground level.

Cox has been part of Sydney's coaching set-up since 2017 and currently oversees game strategy and performance. But Cox is held in such high regard at the Swans that he's been touted as the successor to current coach John Longmire.

"Its such a good working environment at the Swans, we feel we have built a strong list at the club and we have got a good foundation for success," Cox said. "I'm really comfortable with the role I have at the club under John.

"It (a succession plan) isn't a point of discussion. Horse (Longmire) and I have a great relationship, and we are both really clear on the roles we have. He's been a great mentor for me and I'm extremely lucky to be learning off one of the best coaches in the competition.

"I'm more than happy to continue to be an assistant coach for however long that may be. I am aspirational about my coaching career, however I think right now this is the best place to continue my coaching journey."

There was chain of thought that Cox would take the head-coaching role at West Coast now that it's available, but leading AFL reporter Tom Morris revealed he wouldn't be doing so earlier this week. Speaking on 'Footy Classified' on Channel 9 on Monday night, Morris revealed that Cox wants to stay in Sydney and take over from Longmire whenever he departs.

Should the Eagles be looking at John Longmire?

Kane Cornes said the Eagles should be looking at Longmire as their next coach if Cox is staying in Sydney. “If I hear that and I’m West Coast I go straight to John Longmire’s manager and say: ‘If this is the case, let’s get you’,” Cornes said.

“He along with Chris Scott would be the No.1 target. 100 per cent they should (try and poach Longmire). If John feels like he’s been there a long time and if they have great success this year and the players are ready for another voice, you’d have to ask the question.”

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Former assistant coach Jarrad Schofield has been appointed interim coach at the Eagles, and would be a candidate to take the role full-time. Schofield guided WAFL side Subiaco to three flags and has also spent time at Port Adelaide as an assistant. He seven games to prove he has what it takes to be handed the West Coast top job on a full-time basis.

Former Eagles forward Ash Hansen, who is now an assistant at Carlton, is also set to be among the candidates. Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham, former Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, Port assistant Josh Carr, Adelaide assistant Scott Burns and former Richmond interim coach Andrew McQualter are other names that could be in the running.

with AAP