Essendon's interim coach Dean Solomon has ruled himself out of the race for the vacant head coaching role.

Solomon, who stepped into the hot seat after Brad Scott's dismissal earlier this season, today made the call that he would not proceed with an application for the role despite being endorsed within the four walls.

“I've been incredibly grateful for the opportunity to give back to the football club that has given me so much,” Solomon said.

"I'm proud of this playing group. While the results haven't reflected where we want to be, I've seen the growth of these players every day, and I honestly believe our members and supporters have every reason to be excited about what's ahead. They’re made of the right stuff which gives us great hope for the future.

“Get behind them from day one in 2027 and give them the best Essendon support possible. There's nothing better than running out in front of the red and black faithful."

The job is now reportedly down to just four candidates: Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham, Adelaide coaching director Murray Davis, Sydney assistant Mark McVeigh, and club legend James Hird.

Essendon's meeting schedule reveals potential coaching front-runner
Written by Tom Morris

Four prospective coaches remain in the hunt for the Essendon job, and as Tom Morris reports, the club’s meeting schedule bodes well for one specific candidate.

With three weeks remaining in the 2026 home and away season, Essendon is entering the final stages of their hiring process, set to complete their final meetings this week ahead of a looming decision.

Morris reported last Tuesday morning that the job hunt is down to four names: Fremantle assistant Jaymie Graham, Adelaide coaching director Murray Davis, Sydney assistant Mark McVeigh, and club legend James Hird – with a potential fifth as the club awaits confirmation from interim coach Dean Solomon.

While the final round of interviews allow the candidates one last swing before a decision is made, Morris believes that the Bombers' interview schedule could reflect a potential favourite for the job.

“Essendon has four candidates left in the mix, five including Dean Solomon,” Morris told SEN’s Locked In.

“These interviews, I understand, will all be done by the end of the week.

“The belief is, according to people I speak to today, that Mark McVeigh will be the last interview conducted on Friday, which, based on history, bodes well for Mark McVeigh.

“The reason for this is as follows: when Brad Scott got the job at Essendon a few years ago, he was the last interview. He swooped in, and the interview was a process to ratify him before he got the gig.

“What happened recently in Tasmania – Ken Hinkley got the last interview, and then they offered him the job immediately off the back of that.

“I wonder if these presentations have become a way to ratify rather than a way to really change the order.

“Maybe, just maybe, Essendon’s preferred candidate, based on the order of these interviews, is Mark McVeigh.

“He ticks all the boxes – he has coached his own team before, he is at a good football environment now at the Sydney Swans, he is the right sort of age, he has an Essendon background, he understands the Bombers and their weaknesses.

“He is close to the president, and they will say if he gets the job that that has nothing to do with it, but clearly Andrew Welsh knows him really, really well.

“They are close friends, and that’s an advantage.”