Essendon Football Club has announced the appointment of David Regan as their new Senior Strength and Conditioning Coach. Regan, who brings over a decade of experience from elite sports in Australia and the USA, joins the Bombers with an impressive resume that includes roles in the AFL, NBA, MLB, and NFL.
Regan’s career highlights include a successful tenure with the Melbourne Demons, where he served as Head of Sports Science and later as Head of Strength and Power, contributing to their premiership victory in 2021. His international experience is equally noteworthy, having held significant positions with major American sports franchises such as the Miami Dolphins and the New York Mets.
Regan’s Global Experience
Before joining Essendon, Regan was the Head of Strength and Conditioning for the Brooklyn Nets, a role he held until this year. His decision to return to Australia was driven by the opportunity to contribute to Essendon’s ambitious high-performance goals.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to come to a proud club like Essendon and I’m looking forward to working with Mat and the rest of the High Performance department ahead of the 2026 AFL Season,” Regan stated.
“It’s rare that you get an opportunity to work with a young and energetic list led by an incredible coaching staff. Coming back from America, I feel that the experiences that I’ve had in the NFL, MLB, NBA, and AFL can contribute to the development of the team and give the players the best chance to be at their best every week.”
Strengthening the High-Performance Team
Regan’s appointment is part of Essendon’s strategic focus on enhancing their high-performance area. This follows the recent addition of Mathew Inness as Head of High Performance and Medical, signaling the club’s commitment to building a robust support structure for their athletes.
Essendon’s GM – AFL, Daniel McPherson, expressed his enthusiasm for the new high-performance team.
“David’s appointment is another really exciting one for us. He has a wide range of experience across different elite competitions, both here and in the US, and has a proven track record, which will only benefit our high-performance program more broadly,” McPherson said.
Looking Ahead
Regan will commence his role at Essendon as the AFL players return to training in November. His arrival is anticipated to bring fresh energy and insights into the club’s training methodologies, potentially setting new benchmarks for athlete performance and development.
With Regan’s extensive background and the club’s reinforced high-performance team, Essendon is poised to make significant strides in their athletic development programs. The appointment reflects a broader trend in sports where clubs increasingly seek diverse, international expertise to gain a competitive edge.
The Bombers’ strategic moves this off-season underscore their ambition to not only compete but excel in the AFL, leveraging Regan’s unique blend of experiences across multiple top-tier sports leagues.
