Goodwin will learn the ropes as an assistant coach under Roos for two seasons, before taking the reins in 2017 in the top job.
Following the sacking of Brenton Sanderson at Adelaide, speculation was rife Goodwin had already been approached to lead the Crows.
But unveiled by a delighted Demon contingent on Thursday, Goodwin said the culture Melbourne was building was what appealed to him about signing on with the team that finished second-last on the ladder in 2014.
"There were some things within Melbourne that really resonated with me about the cultural journey that they were on to building sustained success," Goodwin said.
"That's what I'm really trying to be part of. What I really believe in is how you build success through culture, and that's something that really influenced me about the Melbourne footy club."
Roos said Goodwin was Melbourne's preferred candidate from the club's very first meeting, eventually earning the nod after an extensive two-year process where the club talked formally and informally, to 20 potential candidates.
Goodwin admitted there was some part of him that flirted with the idea of returning to the Crows.
"Of course it does (cross you mind). The Adelaide footy club is a big part of my life, but coaching's a completely different caper and I'm really settled in Melbourne," he said.
Roos said Goodwin was Melbourne's preferred candidate from the club's very first meeting, eventually earning the nod after an extensive two-year process where the club talked formally and informally, to 20 potential candidates.
"The process we went through was different to most clubs, where you get the Powerpoint presentation. I'm not a huge fan of Powerpoint presentations, to be perfectly frank," Roos said.
Great to hear @melbournefc latest appointment of Simon Goodwin. An impressive fit for the playing group, coaching team & club #godees
— Michelle Cowan (@MishCowan) September 18, 2014
"I'd never really met Simon before and I went in to Todd Viney's house (the venue of the meeting), probably thinking he'd be one of many (candidates the club spoke to).
"He was really open and honest about everything, about the ASADA thing (at Essendon).
"I must admit I walked out of there super impressed. Everyone was super impressed by his honesty, super impressed by his football focus."
Simon Goodwin and Paul Roos after Thursday's big announcement. Picture: Getty Images
Goodwin said he had moved past his involvement in the supplements saga at the Bombers.
"It was a long time ago and a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then," he said.
"I'm really happy to move on, be a Melbourne person and really just learn from the experience. Everyone can learn from it and there would be a lot of things people would do differently.
"If I had my time again in hindsight, I would (do things differently). But I'm moving forward and looking to become a better person now."
Demons chief executive Peter Jackson said Goodwin's appointment completed the off-field rebuild of the club.
Melbourne is likely to hear whether it will be granted special assistance at an AFL Commission meeting next Monday and Jackson said the club was holding out hope of positive news.
"This club can be accused of causing its own problems in the past, but the reality is, over the last 18 months, we have moved forward a long way in terms of goverance, processes and decision making," Jackson said.
"I think the AFL could look forward to the fact that we're using some of these decisions that they might make responsibly.
"We're hopeful, but not expectant."
