Brisbane footy boss Danny Daly admits it is “humbling” to see his name in the ring for the vacant Demons head coaching job, even with the endorsement of Chris Fagan.
Daly has been floated to be the likely successor of Fagan if he is to step into retirement when his Lions contract expires at the end of the 2027 season.
However, his desire to step into a senior coaching role could be handed to him sooner if he is to make the move to Victoria to replace the sacked Simon Goodwin.
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“Coaching aspirations is something in the last couple years I’ve thought about a little more,” Daly said on 3AW’s Wide World of Sports.
“Whether there are clubs out there that want someone like myself, who knows. It is something that I potentially might have a go at at some stage in my career.
“It’s pretty humbling to have my name put out there.”
Danny Daly and Chris Fagan of the Lions. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Daly has been an integral member of Lions’ coaching staff over the past 11 seasons, taking on several roles before becoming the head of footy in 2020.
If he were to get the vacant Demons role, he would have the support of Fagan.
“I know we wouldn’t like to lose him but if it was (to happen) … I’d be chairing him out for the place and saying ‘Good luck and go well’,” the Lions premiership-winning coach told reporters last Friday.
“He’s been a fantastic help to me from the day I arrived here at this football club. We’re like brothers, I reckon.
“We talk a lot about football and I know he’s got the capacity inside him to (be a senior coach) if that is what he wants to do.
“That’s completely up to Danny and the others who make those decisions. “
Interest from rival teams does not stop at just head coaching positions, with reports Daly is on the radar of Carlton to take over as the general manager of football.
“I’m pretty happy in the role I play, and I am pretty fortunate to be part of the AFL industry and have this great role,” Daly said.
“I’m pretty happy to be doing what I’m doing.
“There are different pathways to get to a coaching position but certainly the way he (Fagan) has done it is something different.
“I know I am pretty much in the same mould as Fagan.
“That is one thing I am so grateful for in terms of Fagan last year winning the premiership, it is something that has been hanging over his head… it is always in the back of your head that you’ve never played at this level. He was able to get a team from where we were to finals and grand finals. But being able to win a grand final was huge.
“Thankfully, for a lot of people who have followed in his path, it gives them hope as well.”
