Adelaide Fire announce new Men's Head Coach

The Adelaide Fire is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Mitchell as Head Coach ahead of the upcoming 2026 One Active Hockey One season.

Mitchell joins the Fire with an extensive coaching resume that spans elite club, state, national and international hockey. He currently serves as Head Coach of the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) Women's Program and the Australian Under-18 Men's Team, while also leading Footscray Hockey Club's Men's Premier League side.

"I'm excited to return to the Adelaide Fire and begin this journey with the playing group, staff and the wider hockey community. I'm looking forward to establishing clear principles and a strong team identity. My passion is creating environments that develop great people first, because I believe that's what leads to sustained success. I'm excited to bring some fresh perspective to the program while embracing the strength of South Australian hockey, and together, build something the entire Fire community can be proud of.” - Dan Mitchell.

Prior to his current roles, Mitchell spent four years as Assistant Coach with the VIS Women's Program before being elevated to Head Coach in 2026. In 2022 He has also led the Victorian Under-21 Women's Team and was Head Coach of Hockey Club Melbourne's Women's Premier League team after previously serving as Assistant Coach. Internationally, Mitchell gained valuable experience in the 2025–26 Hockey India League as Analytical Coach with the Tamil Nadu Dragons, working alongside some of the world's leading players and coaches in one of the sport's premier competitions.

Mitchell's return marks something of a homecoming. A familiar figure in South Australian hockey, he led Seacliff Hockey Club's Premier League men to the 2020 premiership before taking on the role of Hockey SA High Performance and Pathways Manager in 2021. In that position, he oversaw the Adelaide Fire program and the state's talent pathway.

Mitchell also has strong ties to the Fire, having been named in the club's inaugural Hockey One squad in 2019. Unfortunately injury forced him off the turrf, but it also sparked his transition into coaching - a path that has since taken him to the highest levels of the game both in Australia and internationally.