John Longmire, the Sydney Swans’ longest-serving coach, has today informed the Club that he will take up a new role with the Essendon Football Club as General Manager, AFL Performance.
Longmire’s place in Sydney Swans folklore is assured. He coached the Club in 333 games at an incredible winning percentage of 63 per cent, including five Grand Finals and the 2012 AFL Premiership. He led the Swans to 12 finals series and was twice named AFLCA Coach of the Year, in 2012 and 2014.
Having joined the Club as an assistant coach in 2002 and playing a key role in the drought-breaking 2005 Premiership, Longmire succeeded Paul Roos as senior coach in 2011. At the conclusion of the 2024 season, he handed the coaching reins to Dean Cox.
Longmire then moved into the role of Executive Director, Club Performance, bringing the same curiosity, high standards and care for people that defined his coaching career. He helped launch the Sydney Swans Institute in 2025, delivering keynotes and masterclasses and co-facilitating leadership programs for hundreds of leaders across the corporate, government and sports sectors.
He also led the Club's Academy programs and co-developed Academy+, which launched in August 2026. An Australian first, Academy+ shares the frameworks and coaching principles behind the QBE Sydney Swans Academy with clubs, schools and young players across New South Wales and the ACT.
Sydney Swans Chairman Andrew Pridham thanked Longmire for his outstanding service to the Club.
“John is a much-loved and respected figure at the Sydney Swans. Put simply, he is a legend of our Club,” Pridham said.
“John, Shelley, Tommy, Billy and Sahara have been part of our Swans family for as long as anyone can remember. John loves his family and this football club, and the feeling is mutual.
“While we will miss him enormously, we wish him the very best with his new challenge.
“John’s connection with multiple generations of players, coaches, staff and fans has been incredibly strong. He has positively impacted the lives and careers of the many people who have passed through our doors over almost a quarter of a century.
“He leaves us as a great friend, a valued colleague and, of course, a Premiership coach. That will never change.
“Once a Blood, always a Blood.”
Longmire thanked the Sydney Swans and said the time was right for a new challenge.
“Having arrived at the Swans 25 years ago this Club has meant so much to me and my family,” Longmire said.
“I will look back with extreme fondness of my time in Sydney and always be proud of what we achieved as a football club.
“Clearly, the 2012 Premiership remains a highlight for me over the journey, as are the many finals appearances. However, I will also cherish the challenging times that are presented to you when involved at the coalface of professional sport.
“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved with the Club of 25 years for their professionalism, dedication, and desire to improve. There are far too many people to list here who have supported myself and my family during my time. The relationships I have formed over more than two decades, and the memories we have as a family, will always stay with me and something I will always treasure.
“I am really excited to be given this opportunity at Essendon working alongside Mark McVeigh and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
