The ‘warning signs’ before Swans bombshell as big question in succession plan emerges

Something seemed a little bit strange when Dean Cox opted not to pursue the vacant West Coast Eagles coaching job earlier this year.

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Cox has long been one of the most highly rated assistant coaches in the competition and senior coaching opportunities don’t come around too often.

But signs of a Cox succession plan at the Sydney Swans have been prevalent for some time.

Given the storied history Cox had as a player at the Eagles, it just seemed like a good fit.

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Cox played 290 games for the Eagles earning six All-Australian nods. He was a key member of the 2006 premiership team and was the club’s best and fairest in 2008.

A favourite son, someone who has completed an apprenticeship under a successful coach in John Longmire and at the end of the day, by all reports, a very good coach.

When you consider John Longmire has been one of the greatest coaches of the modern era, you just had to think the Swans had a succession plan in place to elevate Cox when Longmire chose to step away.

Why else would one of the best assistant coaches in the land choose to turn down the opportunity to coach at the club he used to play for?

It has been widely thought throughout the industry that Cox would be given the reins to the Swans once Longmire’s time was up and the Swans confirmed that on Tuesday morning.

There had to have been discussions around what Cox’s future at Sydney HQ looked like in order to stave off West Coast’s potential interest.

“I am extremely happy in Sydney, and I believe this is the best place for me and my family at the moment,” Cox said when the Eagles talks ramped up.

Cox’s two young daughters and wife are both settled in Sydney and Cox said, “Sydney is the best option for us right now” and that he was “really comfortable” with his position at the Swans.

He also praised the impact Longmire had had on his coaching career, emphasising he was happy to continue his apprenticeship under one of the best coaches in the competition.

“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,” he said.

“I am aspirational about my coaching career; however, I think right now this is the best place to continue my coaching journey.”

There is a very high opinion of Cox within the four walls at the Swans and given he has been right under their noses; he is the logical replacement for Longmire.

After all, Longmire has been preparing Cox for this very moment for a while now.

There have been little hints of the succession plan in recent months and on Tuesday morning, the Swans confirmed that Cox would lead the side forward in 2025.

Why would the Swans make the switch after the trade period, the draft and right as pre-season begins? Shouldn’t Cox be given as much time and say as possible for his side in 2025?

While it was ultimately Longmire’s call as a longstanding servant of the club, the handover to Cox isn’t as abrupt as many believe.

Let’s go back to Sydney’s war room on draft night.

List managers, recruiting bosses, football managers, sometimes even chief executives are present for clubs.

For the Swans, Kinnear Beatson and Chris Keane were in there, as was Leon Cameron and a host of other fantastic footy minds.

One omission was coach John Longmire.

Richmond coach Adem Yze was there, as was Hawthorn mastermind Sam Mitchell and Giants coach Adam Kingsley. Ross Lyon was there for the Saints, Andrew McQualter was overseeing proceedings at the Eagles and Chris Fagan was on hand to meet the Lions’ new stars. It’s common for senior coaches to be involved in the draft night process.

Longmire wasn’t there for the Swans, but Cox was.

Veteran journalist Ashley Browne wrote on X: “Dean Cox front and centre in the draft room last week was a sure sign that change was coming.”

AAP’s Olly Caffrey wrote: “The warning signs were there. John Longmire wasn’t even there on draft night, Dean Cox was already in the big seat.”

The Swans added four fresh faces to the team at the draft. Livewire small Jesse Dattoli was their prized selection at pick 22, while South Australian excitement machine Ned Bowman was draft with pick 26.

On night two, Werribee mature age running defender Riley Bice was selected alongside Dandenong Stingrays tall Riak Andrew, brother of Gold Coast swingman Mac.

The Swans were quiet during the trade period, only shipping off veteran Luke Parker and untried small forward Jacob Konstanty.

It led many to question why the Swans weren’t more active given their inability to claim the ultimate prize in recent years.

But it seems the Swans weren’t resting on their laurels by any means, springing the biggest change of them all.

While it appears as though Cox is the most suitable heir for Longmire’s throne, there is a more hesitant train of thought.

Cox did coach at the Eagles under Adam Simpson for several years, but he’s been at the Swans since the end of 2017. Longmire has been coach for the duration of Cox’s stay at the Swans and clearly Longmire will have a prominent role again in 2025, albeit in a different capacity.

While that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it could mean that Cox has a similar style, relationships and ideas.

Plenty of Cox’s coaching knowledge and methods will have come from Longmire.

And Longmire isn’t departing the club, instead moving into a role as Executive Director – Club Performance.

If the Swans are after a different voice to try and break their premiership hoodoo, is Cox the man for the job, or will he just provide the same as what Longmire has?

At the end of the day, Cox has been one of the most highly sought after assistant coaches in recent times.

His knowledge for the game is exceptional and he has a strong ability to connect to a variety of different players and coaches. Whether he was an assistant at the club or not, he would likely be a leading candidate if the Swans had instead chosen to look externally.

It’s fair to say, Cox is as well-equipped as any man in the country to lead the Swans into 2025.

Longmire leaves a lasting legacy at the Swans and that will only continue to grow with his new role, but now it’s time for Cox to ascend the throne and make his mark in Bloods history.