Highly-rated assistant has senior coaching aspirations

Adrian Hickmott says he has long held aspirations to become a senior coach.

However, the Hawthorn assistant admits that as he has matured over the years he has become quite patient in his pursuit.

Hickmott, a highly-rated assistant, was asked on SEN WA Breakfast if he does have senior coaching desires.

“Yeah, I do,” Hickmott replied.

“If the right opportunity comes up, yeah, I’d definitely look at it. I’ve had aspirations since I first retired in 2003 which is a long time ago now.

“But I’m very patient as well. I was in a rush when I first started coaching, and as you mature in age and pick up a lot of different things and mentors throughout that time I’ve become very patient.

“Along the journey I’ve got to perform at my best here and get the way I think and feel throughout the game, and Sam Mitchell helps with that, he’s got a great footy brain and is a real good mentor for me.

“If I’m able or the chance comes up to take the next step (I would love to).”

The AFL’s current coaching climate has left a number of the competition’s premier senior coaches available for re-employment.

With the likes of Nathan Buckley and Adam Simpson working in the media, Leon Cameron and Brett Ratten taking on lesser roles and Ken Hinkley soon to depart, a glut of top-level coaches remain on the radar for clubs seeking fresh pastures.

The start of the 2025 season has seen a number of clubs flirt with the concept of a new boss at the helm, with Melbourne’s Simon Goodwin and Carlton’s Michael Voss facing frequent scrutiny.

While the market is stacked with AFL-proven coaches, SEN WA’s Tim Gossage suggests that freshening up the coaching landscape with the elite untried assistant could be the answer for struggling clubs.

“Everyone keeps telling me that it’s whether Buckley wants to come back or John Longmire or Adam Simpson or will Ken coach after leaving Port Adelaide?,” Gossage said on SEN WA Breakfast.

“We’re just recycling the same old blokes, aren’t we?

“So, I would suggest that Adrian Hickmott, who is at Hawthorn, clubs should pursue him. They should go hard for him, seriously hard for him.”

The former Geelong and Carlton player has been coaching at a high level since 2006, commencing in the Murray League and TAC Cup level before jumping into second tier football.

In 2012, Hickmott broke into the AFL with a development role at the Eagles, where he eventually operated as the backline coach, leading the likes of Tom Barrass, Shannon Hurn and Jeremy McGovern to a premiership in 2018.

Moving into the Hawthorn assistant role in 2022, Hickmott organises the tactical set-up for the Hawks’ electric front half, proving a vital piece in the Hawks' recent climb up the AFL ladder.

Don’t be surprised if clubs swoop on the opportunity to grant Hickmott his first senior gig in the coming years.