Denis
Pagan

Career coach. It’s a term that is often applied loosely, but one that sits comfortably alongside the name Denis Pagan.

Throughout a distinguished coaching career spanning three decades, Denis has forged a reputation as a meticulous planner, an inspirational leader of men and for the relentless pursuit of excellence. Beyond dispute is the indelible mark Denis has left on the game of Australian football. He ranks 16th on the list of most senior VFL/AFL games coached and as a Premiership coach at Under-19, Reserve and Senior AFL level, he is without peer.

Following a successful playing career which spanned 146 games over 10 seasons at the highest level (120 games with North Melbourne and 26 with South Melbourne) and included State representation and a Grand Final appearance, Denis embarked on what was to prove one of the most enduring and successful of coaching journeys.

As playing coach of Yarraville, he lifted the VFA club to a Grand Final appearance, before returning to North Melbourne; first as a specialist coach, then in guiding the Under-19s to an unparalleled nine consecutive Grand Final appearances and five Premierships from 10 seasons. After the disbandment of the AFL Under-19 competition Denis further enhanced his coaching credentials by winning another flag in his one and only season as Essendon Reserves coach in 1992.

Appointed senior coach of North Melbourne on the eve of the 1993 season, virtually overnight Denis transformed a club that had seemingly been demoralised by a record defeat in the pre-season competition just days earlier. He introduced a new game plan, taught the players to believe in themselves, installed a then 21-year-old Wayne Carey as captain and was even instrumental in helping the club secure NZI Insurance as a major sponsor. By season’s end North Melbourne had returned to the September action for the first time in six seasons, while Denis was duly named ‘AFL Coach of the Year’ in his inaugural season.

What followed were seven consecutive Preliminary Finals, three Grand Finals appearances and the ultimate success; Premierships in 1996 and 1999. North Melbourne, or the Kangaroos as they came to be known, earned the moniker of ‘Team of the Nineties’, The Football Record referred to Denis as “the man with the finals touch” and in 2001 he was selected ahead of the legendary Ron Barassi as the club’s Coach of the Century. In a decade at the helm, Denis returned a winning percentage of 61 per cent.

Punitive draft sanctions, financial uncertainty and frequent political instability presented Denis with a myriad of challenges during his five-year tenure as Carlton coach. Through it all he remained steadfastly committed to the playing group and supporters, managed to deliver the Blues two pre-season Premierships and departed the club with his integrity and reputation intact.

Denis’ success in the sporting arena mirrors that of his personal and professional life. Married to Cheryl for 35 years with adult children Shannon and Ryan, prior to his appointment as senior coach of the Kangaroos he had 25 years’ experience in the highly-competitive insurance industry. As an agency manager, he specialised in risk assessment, broker/agent liaison, claim settlement and sales/marketing.

Denis and Cheryl share a passion for the breeding of thoroughbreds, while his contributions to The Age and Sunday Age have proved both insightful and thought-provoking.

As one who is able to draw on the full gamut of experiences from the pressure-cooker environment of the AFL, Denis speaks with authority on the key ingredients for attaining success, leadership, team building, developing self-belief and confidence, overcoming adversity and goal setting. Likewise, his coaching philosophies - based upon communication, teaching, people management and leadership - will prove invaluable to aspiring coaches and business and community leaders alike.