MORE: Timeline: James Hird and Essendon
Hird is serving a one-year ban for his part in Essendon's supplements program in 2012, but despite copping such a heavy penalty from the AFL, the club opted to re-sign him on a new two-year contract that begins next year.
All that was put in jeopardy, though, when Hird's wife Tania was questioned by the ABC's 7:30 program last Thursday – the day before the Bombers' season-opening clash with North Melbourne - in an interview where she again brought up the accusation that Andrew Demetriou tipped off Essendon as to the investigation into the club.
Tania Hird also claimed James was bullied into taking the deal put on the table by the AFL last August.
The interview led to Essendon chairman Paul Little and the club's board re-considering their support for Hird to resume his coaching role at the end of this season.
But a board meeting on Wednesday has indicated that Hird will stay on as coach.