THE WESTERN Bulldogs have secured Steve Grace as their new VFL coach in a restructure that has seen Footscray premiership coach Ashley Hansen promoted. 

Grace left Collingwood at the end of the season after three years in development and assistant roles and three years before that with Fremantle as a development coach.

He will take over the Footscray team that won the 2016 premiership, with Hansen moving into an assistant coach role under Luke Beveridge leading the forwards.

The Bulldogs have reshaped their coaching structure following the departure of senior assistant Brett Montgomery on the eve of the finals series.

Chris Maple has been promoted to coaching performance manager, a role that will see him provide direct assistance to Beveridge while also overseeing the development of the club’s assistant coaches.

The experienced coach will also manage performance analysis and player welfare in the newly created role.

Football manager Graham Lowe said the new structure reflected the development of the coaching group, with Beveridge's assistants committing to long-term contracts.

"We're confident this new coaching structure will deliver great development and growth opportunities to our coaches, while continuing to provide an environment where all our players can reach their potential," Lowe said.

"Stability is a key component of a high performing department, and to have our coaches commit to long term contracts is an excellent result for our club."

Lowe welcomed Grace to the club and said the Bulldogs were thrilled to secure the 47-year-old in "the critical role of VFL senior coach".

In other changes Daniel Giansiracusa will move from forward line coach to lead the stoppages and set plays portfolio, Steven King moves from midfield coach to backline and Joel Corey will focus more broadly on the midfield after being stoppage coach in 2016.

Rohan Smith is now responsible for the club’s development program.