Dean Solomon will not return to Essendon Football Club next season, opting instead to prioritize his family in Kingscliff, New South Wales. The former caretaker coach and 2000 premiership player was offered multiple roles by new coach Mark McVeigh but decided that being away from his wife and children for another year was no longer feasible. Solomon’s departure follows a tumultuous period where he stepped into the senior coaching role after Brad Scott's dismissal, leading Essendon to win only one of 12 games during an injury-plagued season.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Dean Solomon, the former caretaker senior coach at Essendon, will not return to the club next season due to family reasons. Despite being offered roles such as senior assistant and director of coaching by new coach Mark McVeigh, Solomon prioritized his wife and children who reside in Kingscliff, northern New South Wales. He had been living away from them for almost a year. Solomon's career includes playing in Essendon’s 2000 premiership victory; he rejoined the club in 2024 as both a board member and assistant coach under Brad Scott, who was later dismissed. Solomon expressed gratitude but emphasized that it is not the right time to be away from his family year-round, highlighting their support during this period.
Written for “Essendon Coach Departure” on 2026-09-18,
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Dean Solomon will not return to Essendon in any capacity next season, the former caretaker senior coach putting family before club.
asserted
coach → return → club
The 2000 premiership player was offered several roles for 2027 under new coach and former teammate Mark McVeigh, including senior assistant and director of coaching.
asserted
player → offer → coaching
But having lived almost a year away from his wife and children, who are based in Kingscliff in northern New South Wales, Solomon said it was time to move home.
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it → live → Wales
He also has a health and wellness business there.
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He → have → business
“I have been incredibly grateful for the opportunity to give back to a football club that has given me so much,” Solomon, 46, said.
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Solomon → give → much
“Being asked to coach a club I have a deep-seated connection with, even for a short time, is something I will always be proud of, and something I have loved.
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I → ask → time
But my family is settled in northern New South Wales, and the past few months have shown me that it just not the right time to be away from my young family year on year.
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it → settle → year
Their support of me and the club has been incredible, but it is time to go home.”
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it → go → me
Solomon returned to the Bombers in 2024 as a board member, before last October, becoming an assistant coach under Brad Scott.
asserted
Solomon → return → Scott
When Scott was axed in May, Solomon was made caretaker coach, winning one of 12 games amid another injury-hit season for the Bombers.
uncertain
Solomon → ax → Bombers
He later opted to not officially apply to replace Scott on a permanent basis, that position won by McVeigh ahead of James Hird, Jamie Graham and Murray Davis.
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He → opt → Hird
“I am proud of this playing group.
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I → play → group
The results have not reflected where we want to be, but I have seen these players grow every day, and our members have every reason to be excited about the development of this group ahead.
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members → reflect → group
They are made of the right stuff,” Solomon said.
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Solomon → make → stuff
Solomon, a tough-as-teak defender, played 158 games for the Bombers, and 51 for Fremantle.
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Solomon → play → Fremantle
Bombers president Andrew Welsh said Solomon’s contribution would not be forgotten.
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contribution → say → ?
“‘Solly’ is an Essendon person first and foremost, and that has been obvious in every decision he has made since stepping into the senior coaching role,” Welsh said.
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Welsh → make → role
“Every one of those calls has been made with an eye on where this club is heading rather than on the week in front of him.
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club → make → him
That is not the easy way to coach, and it takes a particular sort of person to do it.
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it → coach → it
He has put connection and passion back at the centre of this place, on and off the field.
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He → put → field
The work he has put in with our players, our coaches and our staff has been tireless, and this club will feel the benefit of it for years.”
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club → put → years
The Bombers continue to review their football department operations, while they are expected to be busy through the trade and draft periods.
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they → continue → periods
They hold the No.1 draft pick, while former skipper Zach Merrett is expected to join Hawthorn.
asserted
Merrett → hold → Hawthorn
The Aporia
