Jared Rivers is not planning to get back into the AFL coaching ranks in the near future after his time in the system was cut short due to COVID-19.
The former Melbourne and Geelong defender spent four years at Collingwood where he coached the VFL side for three seasons before crossing to North Melbourne late last year to take up the role of defensive coach under Rhyce Shaw.
However, Rivers fell victim to the COVID crisis and was let go in July just over half a year into his two-year deal.
The 35-year-old is expecting life at the elite level to be extremely difficult over the next few years as clubs deal with the effects of the global pandemic.
“I think the next three or four years for any coach in the AFL system is going to be a hard slog,” he said on SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“You’re going to get underpaid and overworked, unfortunately, because the money’s not there.
“It’s going to be tough for those coaches that are in the system but probably also harder to get back in it.
“I’m not really looking to get back in there anytime soon.”
Rivers is undergoing a carpentry apprenticeship and will coach Collegians in the VAFA in 2021 which has him looking at life away from the AFL for the time being.
“I’ve had a few months to think about it, regarding do I want to get back in or don’t I,” Rivers added.
“I’m only 35 so I feel like I’ve got a lot to give. Coaching your own team at VAFA level, it’s still a quality competition.
“So to prove me something and to prove people in the AFL system are wrong with the decision they’ve made. The passion is still there clearly, I wouldn’t have taken the job at Collegians otherwise.
“Getting that enjoyment back and coaching a club like that in a competition like that is definitely the way to go.
“To be honest, I wasn’t great at school and I didn’t study anywhere near as hard as I should have. So I’m really keen on finishing the apprenticeship and at least getting a trade under me, and then coaching on the side as well.”
The 194-game former Demon and Cat admits it was somewhat of a shock when he was told that his contract with the Kangaroos was being terminated and would love to see a bit more strength surrounding the livelihood of AFL coaches.
“Yeah, I was (surprised),” he said further.
“When you’ve got a two-year contract there and being six months in, I just think how can that possibly happen.
“Probably on my behalf, and the Coaches Association, and Alex McDonald who was my manager at the time, we probably have to look into that a little bit further.
“For all coaches moving forward, I think we have to be a lot stronger in what we can do and protect ourselves a lot more.
“There are a lot of people in the industry that have lost their jobs and have young families. It’s the main source of income for a lot of families.
“I was umming and ahhing about getting back into coaching because I was pretty scarred by it all.
“The clubs are pretty smart with the way they deal with the coaches. I had a two-year deal going but they only have to pay you out three months of the second year of the contract.
“Clubs were trying to save money as much as they could, making roles redundant, which clearly is not a redundant role. People are still doing the role so they had to move a few things around to get that done.
“It’s tough when you’ve been in the system for a long time.”