James Hird Has Resigned As Essendon Coach

James Hird has resigned from the Essendon Football Club, bringing to an end the most controversial coaching tenure in AFL history.

Hird announced his resignation at a press conference today, following Essendon’s 112-point trouncing by Adelaide over the weekend.

It is understood he was asked to step down by the club's board.

“Personally — and some of you won’t agree with me — I believe I am a good coach,” Hird said at the presser.

“My record in troubled times is something I’m proud of.

“By making the decision to stand down I do hope the AFL industry will finally give the players the chance to play football.”

Assistant Coach Matthew Egan will take over for Hird until the end of the season.

Hird, a former Premiership captain and Brownlow medalist, began coaching the Bombers in 2011.

Soon after taking the top job, the team was rocked by scandal, following claims that their “supplement” program actually amounted to players taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Hird was subsequently punished by the AFL with a 12-month suspension for bringing the game into disrepute.

All players were initially cleared of any wrongdoing, but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is appealing the decision. Twenty players will have their anti-doping charges re-heard in the Court of Arbitration for Sport this November.

Essendon sit 15th on the AFL ladder.