JAMES Hird says his coaching career will not be over if the AFL suspends him for his role in the club's supplements saga.
As speculation mounts Hird could accept a coaching ban up to 12 months from the AFL Commission, the under-siege Bombers leader said if he receives a ban he will return to the club.
The AFL this week released charges against Essendon, which led to Hird lodging court action against the League.
Hird said he felt sick reading the charges and thinking people would believe them, but he remained committed to coaching the Bombers long-term.
"The priority for the club and myself is to clear a lot of those charges up, and then of course I want come back and coach if I do get suspended," Hird said.
"I started a job almost three years ago now, and we've developed a team into a competitive team. It's not the best team in the AFL but it's a good team.
"We've [had] 14 wins this year, it's the most since 2001 at this club. We're building along the right direction and I love the players I coach, I love the people I work with and I love our supporters.
"This year has brought us all closer together. If I do end up not coaching for a period of time because of suspension I can't wait to come back."
Hird said he was "not sure" if he would be coaching the Bombers next week against Richmond with the club to face the commission on Monday, and was also unable to commit to attending the hearing at AFL House.
"I'd love to coach against Richmond, love to coach the finals and love to coach next year, but we'll wait and see what happens," Hird said.
Hird said he would consider accepting a ban if the Bombers were spared harsher penalties.
"If it meant the club didn't get premiership points [stripped], it didn't lose draft picks and players were cleared, there'd be definitely a situation ... if that was what the best thing for the club was, yes," he said.
"I don't know how that looks or what that looks like. It's probably too early to speculate."
But he was heartened by the comments of chairman Paul Little, who said before the game the club would welcome back Hird if he received a suspension.
"That's fantastic. If that's what's been said, that's great," Hird said.
"And as I said, I want to be coaching here for a long time and I've really appreciated the support the club has given me through the six months, and the board, and the players and everyone around the club and the supporters."
