Collingwood's Jordan Roughead has been named as the AFL Assistant Coach of the Year at the 2026 AFL Coaches Association Awards.

The Award was awarded to Roughead for his work as the club’s backline coach during the 2026 season.

Roughead follows in the footsteps of Senior Coach Craig McCrae who was recognised with the honour in 2019 whilst at Richmond.

Under Roughead’s guidance, Collingwood’s defence continued to rank among the competition’s strongest this season, despite several injuries to key personnel, and he has continued to develop his coaching credentials under Craig McRae.

Roughead moved into coaching following a 201-game AFL playing career with the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood, which included the Bulldogs’ drought-breaking 2016 premiership.

His transition into coaching began while still playing, working as a specialist coach with Collingwood’s AFLW program before moving into the AFL coaching ranks - which included involvement in the Magpies' 2023 AFL Premiership.

Geelong’s James Rahilly finished in second place in the Assistant Coach of the Year Award, with third place going to Fremantle’s Jaymie Graham.

The award is based on input from the Players and Coaches, on a 50-50 basis. Coaches asked to rate the AFL Assistant and AFL Development Coaches at their club, based on their overall performance this year, allocating each a score out of 10 (10 being the highest score).

Each AFL Assistant and AFL Development Coach will receive an average score out of 10 from their Club’s Coaching panel, which will be matched by an average score out of 10 from their Playing group to determine an overall score.

Other 2026 AFL Coaches Association Awards announced throughout the Awards Night, included the Neale Daniher Lifetime Achievement Award, AFL Assistant Coach of the Year, AFL Development Coach of the Year and Career and Education Award.