In August Camporeale, who spent three years looking after the midfield at Essendon, announced his plans to quit the Bombers at the end of the season and return to his native South Australia.
The former Carlton star approached the Crows hierarchy about a job two months ago, but was told there was no vacancy in the coaching box for 2010.
He started the interview process with the Power shortly after Matthew Primus was confirmed as the club's new senior coach and appeared destined for a role at Alberton until he received a phone call from Adelaide football manager Phil Harper last week.
Midfield coach Todd Viney's shock resignation and defection to Melbourne had created a vacancy on Neil Craig's coaching team.
Camporeale, who faced the distinct possibility of having no job to go to next season, was suddenly faced with a decision and speaking in Adelaide on Monday said it had been a tough one to make.
"I purely came back for family reasons, so there were no guarantees that I would have a job at either place [Adelaide or Port Adelaide] and I was well aware of that. In the end I had an opportunity to choose [between both clubs]," he said.
"I went through the Port process and then it was a bit in limbo with trade week and Port had to do their referencing on other coaches and that sort of thing. It only really came to a head when Todd announced he was going to move and Phil gave me a ring.
"I said to my wife and family when the decision was made that it wasn't a case or here or there for me. I've been away [from Adelaide] a long time, so I never really got caught up in the Port or the Adelaide thing.
"Matty Primus is going to do a terrific job and I got a really good impression from him, but the cards just outweighed this way slightly."
Camporeale beat former Essendon mentor Matthew Knights and several other experienced candidates to get the job.
The premiership wingman will take over Viney's midfield responsibilities and didn’t rule out applying for a senior coaching position further down the track.
"To go into the midfield role was really attractive for me and to work under Neil was also really high on my list," Camporeale said.
"I'm not sure if I want to be a senior coach one day. I'm still 50-50 and I think I've still got a lot to learn. At the end of my footy career I didn't think I was going to be an assistant coach, but three years down the track I've done it and am really enjoying it.
"I think I've got a fair bit to offer to the Adelaide footy club and who knows what's going to happen in the future."
