John Longmire joins Essendon as general manager of AFL performance

John Longmire has joined the Essendon Football Club as the general manager of AFL performance, ending a 25-year tenure with the Sydney Swans. In this newly created role, Longmire will drive excellence and alignment across Essendon’s football program while assisting new coach Mark McVeigh.

His responsibilities will include overseeing game strategy, player development, leadership, coaching, performance analytics, and strength and conditioning. Longmire, a former Sydney premiership coach who led the Swans to the 2012 title, is viewed as a significant appointment intended to bring authority and gravitas to Essendon’s football department.

The move follows Longmire’s decision to depart Sydney at the end of 2024. During his time with the Swans, he coached 333 games and was twice named AFLCA coach of the year.