New Essendon coach James Hird will become an official legend at the AFL club.

The Bombers have announced the Brownlow Medallist, former captain and two-time premiership player will become the 21st legend in their hall of fame.

Hird will coach Essendon for the first time against opposition this Friday night when they open the NAB Cup against Brisbane and St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

He took over as coach from Matthew Knights in controversial circumstances late last year, following weeks of public uncertainty about whether Hird would take the role.

Hird has no coaching experience and Essendon created more headlines when they poached Mark Thompson from Geelong to be one of his assistants.

But there is no controversy about Hird's status at Essendon - he was voted the third-best player in their history.

Hird shared the 1996 Brownlow with Lions coach Michael Voss and played in their 1993 and 2000 premiership teams.

The skilled utility also captained the 2000 premiership, the crowning moment of his 253-game AFL career.

Hird also won five club best and fairest awards and was a four-time All Australian.

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