Maple replaces Peter German, who coached the club's VFL affiliate Williamstown in 2013.
A member of the Bulldogs' coaching panel since 2008, Maple has headed the club's development program for the past four years.
He was recently awarded the 2013 AFL Coaches Association development coach of the year award.
Maple, who will continue in the role of development manager, said he was thrilled by the appointment.
"I am really looking forward to getting stuck into building the Footscray Bulldogs into a professional, top notch team that nurtures and develops our future AFL players," Maple said on Monday.
The Bulldogs announced in August that their standalone VFL team would be known as Footscray, recognising the club's original name.
The Bulldogs were called Footscray when they joined the VFL in 1925 until 1996, when president David Smorgan pushed for the change to build wider appeal for the club.
Bulldogs acting CEO Shannon Rees said Maple had played a significant role in developing the club's young talent and he was the perfect person to lead the VFL club.
