The Demons' inaugural coach has left his post after 10 seasons in charge.
Stinear has been one of the competition's most successful coaches, leading Melbourne to eight top-four finishes and the breakthrough 2023 flag.
Adelaide, Sydney and Geelong are also seeking to fill head coach roles.
Farewelling our inaugural AFLW senior coach who led us to a history-making premiership �� Mick Stinear has made the difficult decision to depart the club after 10 seasons at the helm.— Melbourne AFLW (@MelbourneAFLW) November 24, 2025� | https://t.co/KxUAbnFAoL pic.twitter.com/4Gal8KA6uO
"Mick has been an exceptional leader of our AFLW program and has played a critical role in shaping the team into what it is today," Melbourne CEO Paul Guerra said in a statement.
"To build a program from its inception and achieve the sustained success Mick has including a premiership is a testament to his character and his commitment to the program."
Melbourne finished second on the ladder this year with a 9-3 record, but were knocked out of the premiership race by North Melbourne in last week's preliminary final.
Stinear said he was "proud and emotional" after the 10-point defeat, in which the brave Demons went close to ending the Kangaroos' record-breaking winning streak.
"It's obviously a big commitment to be a senior coach," father-of-two Stinear said post-match when asked about his coaching future.
"I want to make sure I'm the right person for it (and) it's the right thing to do by the family.
"So I'll go and have those discussions with my wife, but I haven't got any answers for you today, I'm sorry.
"But just I'm really proud about the group and you couldn't ask for a better crew to coach."
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