Ben Rutten - Senior coach

The Bombers secured Rutten from Richmond, where he had a strong role in helping to build the Tigers' defensive press that had been crucial to their recent success. The former All-Australian defender, who retired at the end of 2014 after 229 games with the Crows, took over from John Worsfold as senior coach after the 2020 season as part of the club's coaching succession plan. The 2021 season marked his third at the Bombers and first at the coaching helm, culminating in a finals appearance.

Blake Caracella - Assistant coach (midfield and attack)

A vital member of the Bombers’ 2000 premiership team, Blake Caracella enjoyed a decorated career as a player that spanned 187 games at Essendon, Brisbane and Collingwood before he embarked on his coaching career. Caracella served as an assistant coach at Collingwood in 2007, before moving to Geelong in a seven-season stint under Chris Scott, including the Cats’ 2011 premiership campaign. In 2017, he joined Richmond under former teammate and Tigers senior coach Damien Hardwick, serving as offence coach for their two premiership seasons. 2021 marked Caracella’s second season on the Bombers’ senior coaching panel, where he oversaw the midfield and attack.

Daniel Giansiracusa - Assistant coach (backline)

Fresh from being named the AFL Coaches Association Assistant Coach of the Year, Daniel Giansiracusa joined the Bombers' coaching panel in October 2020 from the Western Bulldogs. After a stellar 265-game career for the Bulldogs, Giansiracusa immediately transitioned into a coaching role at Whitten Oval in 2015, tasked with overseeing the club’s forward line before moving into stoppages and set plays. By 2019, he took the reins as Footscray’s senior coach and led the team to a finals berth in his first year at the helm. Giansiracusa oversaw the Bombers' backline in 2021.

Dale Tapping - Assistant coach (forwards)

Dale Tipping joined Essendon at the end of the 2021 season after five seasons as Brisbane's midfield coach. A talented VFA player in his own right, Tapping coached the Sandringham Dragons to the TAC Cup premiership in 2011, before joining Collingwood's coaching ranks in a five-year stint from 2012. He guided Collingwood's VFL side from 2013 to 2016, making finals in each season and being named the 2016 VFL Coach of the Year in a year that saw the Magpies reach a preliminary final. With over 23 years of coaching experience, Tapping is highly regarded for his excellent communication skills and ability to develop relationships to maximise players' talent. He will oversee the Bombers' forward line in 2022 following the departure of Dan Jordan.

Leigh Tudor - Development coach

Leigh Tudor joined Essendon in December 2019, leading the Bombers’ development program - the Jack Jones Academy - for the first-to-fourth-year players. He arrived at the club with a wealth of playing and coaching experience, playing 68 games for North Melbourne (eight) and Geelong (60) respectively, before transitioning into a coaching role. During his time as a coach, Tudor steered Geelong’s VFL side to a premiership in 2007 before making the move to St Kilda where he was involved in the Saints’ two Grand Final appearances in 2009 and 2010. Tudor then worked at Sydney alongside John Longmire in 2012 where he was involved in their premiership the same year. Tudor joined the Kangaroos’ coaching panel in 2013 where he led the midfield line and most recently the forward line, in what was a seven-year stint at Arden Street. 2021 marked Tudor's first season in charge of the VFL Bombers.

Cam Roberts - VFL senior assistant coach and development coach

In what is a non-traditional pathway to the coaching ranks, Cam Roberts brings a wide range of experience working both in football and the corporate world. Joining Essendon in December 2019, Roberts' most recent position involved leading the Melbourne University Blacks Football Club in the Victorian Amateur Football Association. His experience off-field includes working at the Australian Prostate Centre, focusing on developing help-seeking behaviours to address health and wellbeing. His understanding and passion for welfare will assist in his role working closely with the Bombers’ development players.

Brent Stanton - VFL coach

A former Bombers star, Brent Stanton's return to the NEC Hangar was announced at the end of the 2021 season. Having spent four seasons at Carlton in various coaching roles, Stanton will take the reins from Leigh Tudor as the Bombers' VFL coach in 2022.

Alex Rance - Development coach

Essendon announced in September 2021 that five-time All-Australian and premiership defender Alex Rance would join its coaching ranks ahead of the 2022 season as a part-time development coach. The former Richmond star will draw on his expertise to help accelerate the development of the club's key-position and Jack Jones Academy (first- to fourth-year players) players. He'll also re-unite with senior coach Ben Rutten and assistant coach Blake Caracella, who he played under in the Tigers' 2017 premiership triumph.