Kevin Sheedy rules out caretaking
Jackie Epstein | April 19, 2009
KEVIN Sheedy has declared he won't coach Richmond this season - but the Essendon legend has not ruled out coaching next year.
Even if the Tigers decided to replace coach Terry Wallace mid-season, Sheedy said he would not be an option as caretaker coach.
"I'm telling you right now, don't ever think I'll be coaching this year," he said.
"It's not even in my mind. Don't even think about it. I would never ever, ever do that to Terry Wallace.
"I don't know what's going to happen next year, but I know what I can do and what I can't do. If I thought I couldn't coach I wouldn't. I'm really enjoying freedom right now."
Sheedy understood why the pressure was building at Punt Rd but he urged fans and the club to be patient.
He said the Tigers had a history of making poor decisions.
"Unguided passion is dangerous and it disrupts huge organisations," Sheedy said. "The problem with our game and many other clubs is that you can't blame Terry Wallace for the previous years of failure at Richmond."
Sheedy also called for the AFL to intervene so coaches could not be sacked during the season.
"Any team that hasn't won a game, pressure builds, but winning helps and there's a long way to go this season," he said.
"You don't sack coaches during the year. And I believe the AFL should make sure, with their management and presidents, that it doesn't happen.
"You shouldn't treat coaches with disrespect because then they'll just back off."
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25352694-19742,00.html