Brad Scott appointed as Essendon AFL head coach

Brad Scott will make a return to the AFL men’s senior coaching ranks after agreeing to take the top job at Essendon.

Scott replaces Ben Rutten, who was sacked as Bombers senior coach last month with a year remaining on his contract.

He previously coached North Melbourne from 2010 until midway through the 2019 season before resigning from the role.

Scott has recently worked as the AFL’s general manager of football.

The Bombers confirmed Scott’s appointment via a letter to their members on Thursday night.

“At the age of 46, Brad has an incredible resume, with a diverse range of roles and is the experienced figure the club required,” Bombers president David Barham said in the letter.

“We believe Brad has all the attributes to be the long-term coach of the Essendon Football Club.

“He’s a strong leader who will drive standards and establish a winning culture.”

The appointment of Scott ends speculation James Hird would return to the Bombers as men’s senior coach.

Hird was interviewed by the club’s coaching selection panel – which included Josh Mahoney, Robert Walls and Jordan Lewis — earlier this month.

He previously coached the Bombers between 2011 and 2015, although his tenure included a 12-month ban in 2014 for his role in the club’s supplement scandal.

Melbourne assistant coach Adem Yze and Bombers 2000 premiership player Dean Solomon were among the other candidates to replace Rutten.

The coaching selection panel met for the final time on Thursday afternoon, with the club’s board endorsing their recommendation of Scott.

Scott enjoyed a degree of success at the Kangaroos, having guided the club to the preliminary finals in 2014 and 2015.

He was in charged of the Kangaroos across 211 matches, with a winning record of 50.24 per cent.

Scott won two premierships with the Brisbane Lions as a player in 2001 and 2002.

Rutten was sacked after a poor 2022 campaign in which the Bombers finished 15th on the ladder with a 7-15 win-loss record.

The Bombers reached the finals in Rutten’s first season as coach in 2021.

Prior to sacking Rutten, the Bombers unsuccessfully attempted to recruit four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson, who instead joined the Kangaroos.

The Bombers have not won a finals match since 2004.

Scott’s appointment comes less than a week after his twin brother Chris won his second premiership as a coach with Geelong.