Sydney coach John Longmire's surprise call to walk away from the club has fans and supporters scrambling to make sense of it all.

Longmire had long been linked with a succession plan that would see assistant coach Dean Cox inherit the Swans, but no one anticipated it being so soon.

The Swans premiership coach took over from Paul Roos ahead of the 2011 campaign and quickly took the 'Bloods' back to the promised land, securing their fifth flag in their history the following year.

Unfortunately for Longmire and the Swans, it would be their most recent premiership, failing to replicate the ultimate glory since, coming close on four separate occasions, including the 2024 season.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 28: John Longmire, Senior Coach of the Swans, looks dejected after the AFL Grand Final match between Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 28, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Nevertheless, the man known as 'Horse' is arguably one of the most successful coaches this century, and the stats prove it.

Despite holding only one premiership medallion around his neck, Longmire is well and truly placed alongside Chris Scott, Damien Hardwick and Alastair Clarkson.

In this cut-throat sport, silverware is what counts, and for Sydney, their impressive consistency and persistent contending year after year won't be seen as handsomely.

Longmire vs star coaches of the 21st centuryย 

Years Games won Minor premierships Finals made Grand Finals Premierships
John Longmire 14 208/333 (62.5%) 3 12/14 5 1
17 228/390 (58.5%) 2 10/17 5 4
Damien Hardwick 14 170/307 (55.4%) 1 8/14 3 3
Chris Scott 14 222/328 (67.9%) 2 12/14 3 2
Leigh Matthews (Brisbane)
 10 142/237 (59.9%) 0 6/10 4 3
Michael Malthouse (Collingwood)
 12 163/286 (56.9%) 2 8/12 4 1

 

Longmire's tenure witnessed five deciders for one flag and a dozen finals appearances in 14 years, missing the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

During his time, Sydney was largely the best home and away side, claiming three minor premierships whilst also accumulating the second-highest win/loss percentage, only topped by Geelong's Chris Scott.

Longmire was also rewarded with the AFLCA Coach of the Year on two occasions (2012 and 2014).

A star player in his own right for North Melbourne, the 53-year-old proved to translate his on-field prowess to the coaching box, a feat that has seen many try and fail.

However, despite his dominance in leading the newly charged Swans, headed by star trio Isaac Heeney, Errol Gulden and Chad Warner, he ultimately fell short where it mattered most.

Their heartbreak would ultimately come in twos.

A 63-point loss to Hawthorn in the 2014 grand final and a 22-point defeat to the Western Bulldogs two years later.

History repeated itself six years later as the Cats smashed the Swans on the last Saturday of September in 2022 by 81 points, while the most recent edition saw Brisbane romp Longmire's men by 10 goals.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Callum Mills of the Swans speaks to John Longmire, coach of the Swans, after the round four AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Essendon Bombers at Sydney Cricket Ground on April 08, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

In a competition that holds 18 teams, there is no doubting the difficulty of securing the elusive premiership.

And when you think of stuffing 18 teams into eight heading into September, the likelihood decreases.

Longmire defied the odds time and time again to consistently contend for the flag, and although the silverware doesn't match his genius, his name belongs among the coaching greats.