Hawthorn has finalised its 2021 coaching structure with Sam Mitchell to become the Hawks Head of Development, while Assistant Coaches Chris Newman, Brendon Bolton and Craig McRae will make up the Hawks' line coaching team.
As Head of Development Mitchell will lead the development of Hawthorn’s playing list, with a specific focus on developing Hawthorn’s first to fifth year players.
As part of the role Mitchell will also take on the job of Senior Coach for the Box Hill Hawks. The opportunity will enable Mitchell to carry his teaching from a training environment through to a match day setting, while also providing him with the opportunity to run his own program for the first time in his coaching career.
Chief of Football Graham Wright noted Mitchell’s immense capacity to foster and build talented young players made him a perfect fit for the role.
“Mitch is an outstanding coach and has proven his ability to work with and develop young players to become standard features in our senior line-up,” said Wright.
“This new role allows Sam to run his own program at Box Hill and to have an eye over the entirety of our young cohort's development which we see as really important.
“We have been open about the fact that as a club we are focused on developing a new wave of talent to build us to our next premiership and Mitch’s role as Head of Development will be crucial in this.
“We’re really pleased with how our coaching line-up is looking for 2021. Sam, Chris, Brendon and Craig all bring an excellent standard of coaching to our group and offer a huge range of knowledge, skills and experience to our coaching panel.”
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Mitchell himself highlighted the opportunity a strongly aligned AFL and second-tier structure presents.
“The development of young talent is something I’m really passionate about so to now have that as the focus of my role at Hawthorn is personally something I am really excited to get started,” said Mitchell.
“Having the opportunity to coach my own team and be a part of every stage of players’ development is an incredible prospect.
“My role really is to get the best out of all of our young guys and the opportunity to align the two programs really closely by structuring it this way is hugely exciting and presents a fantastic opportunity for players and as an extension of that, our club.”
The assistant coaching panel of Newman, Bolton and McRae will lead the Hawks' line groups in 2021. Newman will be responsible for the backline, Bolton will take the reins of the midfield group and McRae will assume the role of forward line coach. Andy Otten will assist Mitchell continuing in his role as Development Coach and Damien Monkhurst remains as part-time ruck coach.
For a reminder of Mitchell's mentoring skills, relive the time we took you inside his player review meeting with midfielder James Worpel below.
