The constant discourse on who will coach the Tasmania Devils has taken a turn as a suspected leader in the role has all but ruled himself out.
Brisbane premiership coach Chris Fagan has been deemed one of the perfect candidates to lead the AFL's newest team when they enter the competition in 2028, despite signing a contract extension at the Lions to the year prior.
Devils CEO Brendon Gale has gone on the record that he - and the rest of the club - will seek a coach who can galvanise the footy-crazed state whilst also having a strong "ability to work with youth and develop".
And Fagan fits the bill.
The 63-year-old - who originally hails from Tasmania - took the job at the Queensland club when they were at their lowest, claiming a wooden spoon in his first season to making the past six finals series, culminating in a flag.
But to the dismay of Devils listeners, a reunion doesn't appear on the cards.
"I don't think I'll ever coach anyone else other than Brisbane. I don't think I want to," Fagan said on AFL Media's podcast Your Coach.
"I'm probably thinking even though we're (Fagan and his wife) both Tasmanians it won't be there. We'll probably stay here or go back to Melbourne and do something.
"I'm pretty happy with the fact I've coached the Lions and I'll be identified as their coach.
"I want to do something, I want to have purpose in my life, but coaching is a pretty hard caper. I don't want to do that forever."
Adding to the intrigue surrounding the Devils' top job is the seeming availability of experienced coaches.
MORE: The track record of the AFL's coaching succession plan
Sydney's John Longmire passed the reigns over to Dean Cox following his fourth grand final defeat during his tenure.
Port Adelaide recently announced that Ken Hinkley will be given 12 months to claim the elusive premiership, before assistant coach Josh Carr gets his shot in the sun.
West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson parted ways with the club midway through 2024 and is up for consideration while Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley has to be in the mix.
And learning from the most recent expansion clubs - Gold Coast and GWS - the experienced heads is the way to go.
