Will Schofield reveals who will be the Eagles’ next head coach

“He’s the man”

Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL Tonight program this week, former Eagles star Will Schofield revealed Steven King “is the man” who West Coast will hire as their new head coach.

“Steven King, he’s the man that I’m hearing is the number one target for the West Coast Eagles,” Schofield explained.

The former half-back then went on to talk up King’s resume and discussed why he thinks King will be a good head coach for the Eagles.

“His resume, there’s not a lot more that he could’ve done. He’s coached across four clubs. He’s been a captain at a football club. He’s a best-and-fairest winner, and he’s a premiership player.

“He’s been coaching, he’s got the experience that others on that list (of other candidates) don’t have, and I think he’s the guy that West Coast wants.

“So, Steven King would be the number one guy for mine. Mark Duffield (who also reported on Eagle’s head coaching candidates) usually knows what’s going on…so I don’t think they’re looking at anyone else.”

Schofield and other reporters are confident that the Eagles will get King. However, West Coast fans could have to wait a little while before the deal is officially announced. As Schofield explained, King is currently employed by Geelong. The Cats are in the finals series and could go far if they upset the AFL betting odds this week against Port Adelaide.

Schofield said of the potential announcement: “Once they (Geelong) are done and dusted, I expect that to be announced.”

King’s coaching experience

Will Schofield saying Steven King has coached at four clubs was a little generous.

The 6’8” former ruckman has had just one head coaching job since retiring in 2010. That was an ill-fated spell at Gold Coast last season as an interim boss. Under his stewardship, Suns won just two of their final seven matches.

Besides his experience with Gold Coast, King has been a coach at St. Kilda, Western Bulldogs, and at Geelong, where he is currently.

Taking the step up to leading a club like West Coast, who finished third from bottom in the AFL ladder this season, could be a big challenge for King. We will just have to wait and see if he is up for it.