Long-time assistant Dean Cox has been named new head coach of the Sydney Swans after John Longmire's shock resignation.
News of Longmire's departure only emerged on Monday morning with the veteran to move into a new role at the Swans - executive director of club performance.
A succession plan involving Cox taking over from Longmire has long been mooted at Sydney, with the only uncertainty being when the veteran coach would finish up.
However, despite Longmire's contract running until the end of 2025, the coach of 14 seasons has decided to step down 12 months early, with Cox to take over immediately.
MORE: John Longmire quits Sydney: Long-serving coach to finish up with the Swans
Who is new Sydney Swans coach Dean Cox?
Cox has been officially announced as Sydney Swans' new coach on Monday morning in a decision explained at a press conference later in the afternoon.
Cox has been an assistant coach in the Harbour City since 2017 and it has been reported in recent years that he would eventually take over from Longmire in the senior role.
However, Cox himself denied there was a succession plan in place despite rejecting the opportunity to coach his former club West Coast earlier this year.
The 43-year-old was a decorated footballer for the Eagles, playing 290 games, winning a premiership in 2006, securing six All-Australian blazers and a club best and fairest in 2008.
John Longmire's record at Sydney
Longmire took over from Paul Roos ahead of the 2011 season in what is a rare case of a successful succession plan in football, with Sydney playing finals in all but two seasons during his time at the helm.
The Swans won the 2012 flag in his second year in charge but couldn't land another premiership, suffering heavy grand final defeats in 2014, 2022 and 2024, as well another loss in 2016.
Longmire departs the club having coached 333 senior games at a win percentage of 62.9, a tenure which included three minor premierships.
In recent years, Longmire's guidance of the club's young stars aided in a lightning-fast rebuild which has seen Sydney play in two of the past three deciders.
