[1] He is the former senior coach of the Richmond Football Club, serving in the role between 2010 and mid-2023 inclusive and winning three premierships.

Hardwick was appointed head coach of Richmond at the end of the 2009 season, in which the club had placed second-last.

In football, Hardwick was usually on the field for most of the game and known to be a tough, hard working, and versatile player who kept stability in play for his side.

Beginning his AFL career with the Essendon Football Club in 1994, Hardwick was known as a tough, solid defender.

In the 2004 Grand Final he won three free kicks at crucial times, including a reversal against Jason Akermanis which cost the Brisbane Lions a shot at goal.

Following this application, he was also shortlisted for the senior coaching job at Essendon Football Club to replace the outgoing Kevin Sheedy.

Richmond were however beaten convincingly by Port Adelaide by 57 points in the Elimination Final, finishing the season in eighth place.

It didn't start well, losing 4 out of the first 6 before recovering to finish the season in 5th place with 15 wins, same ladder position and win–loss record as 2013.

The highlight was the round 8 win against the Sydney Swans when Sam Lloyd kicked a goal after the siren.

In the 2017 season, Hardwick coached Richmond to their eleventh VFL/AFL premiership, defeating the Adelaide Crows by 48 points.

[18] He joined a very small group to win three AFL premierships with three clubs as player and coach, ending Richmond's 37 Year drought in the process.

Hardwick was heavily featured in the Prime Video web-series Making Their Mark which documented the 2020 AFL season.

[26] On 22 May 2023, Hardwick unexpectedly announced his immediate resignation from his role as senior coach of the Richmond Football Club, mid-season after Round 10, 2023 .

[32][33] On 21 August 2023, Hardwick was announced as the senior coach of the Gold Coast Suns on a six-year contract, starting from the 2024 season.