THE West Coast Eagles have confirmed that Hawthorn assistant Adam Simpson will take over as senior coach for the club, signing him to a three year deal..
Simpson and Fremantle assistant (and former Eagle) Peter Sumich were interviewed on Monday after their involvement in last Saturday’s Grand Final.
And while Sumich had been considered the front runner because of his local ties, it was ultimately Simpson that got the nod.
“I am grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to moving across to Perth with my family and settling in to the challenge ahead,” said Simpson via a statement released by the Eagles.
“I have always admired West Coast from afar and I believe the list has an exciting mix of senior and emerging young players.
“I would like to acknowledge both Hawthorn and North Melbourne for the grounding they have given to me in this game.
“Hawthorn has been fantastic for me in the last four years and it was certainly a great experience to be a part of the coaching group as the club achieved the ultimate success last Saturday.
“In particular, I’d like to thank Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan for the wonderful education and assistance that they have provided to me.
“Being so closely involved from a coaching perspective has provided me with a sense of the hard work which has to be done to achieve a premiership. I obviously enjoyed that feeling as a player, but it is different as a coach.
“I will move across to Perth as soon as possible and I look forward to meeting the players and working with them from the start of pre-season.”
The coaching position with the club became available after John Worsfold announced that he was stepping down from the position that he had held for the last 12 years in early September.
Simpson, 37, joined the Hawks as an assistant coach in 2010 after retiring as a player in 2009. Widely decorated throughout his playing career, he played 306 games with North Melbourne including two premierships (1996 and 1999) and was the team captain from 2004 to 2008.
The board of the West Coast Eagles met today to ratify the decision and made an official announcement moments ago.
“There were obviously some highly-credentialed coaches who applied for the position and we were delighted with the quality of the applicants,” said West Coast Chairman Alan Cransberg.
“It was a tough job for the selection panel and the board to arrive at this unanimous decision, but we believe Adam is best equipped to take the club forward.”
In farewelling Simpson from Hawthorn, Alastair Clarkson wished him well and thanked him for his time at the Hawks.
“In his four years at Hawthorn, Adam has fostered a terrific relationship with the playing group and displayed a high level of excellence across all facets of his coaching duties,” Clarkson said.
“He is well-placed for the transition into senior coaching, which is thoroughly deserved on the back of an impressive coaching apprenticeship and a distinguished playing career,” he said.
hawks lose Simpson …. but expect announcement within days of contract extension for al clarkson
— Mark Robinson (@Robbo_heraldsun) October 3, 2013