McGregor has been in charge of the Grubbers, as Ocean Grove is known, for two years for finishes of sixth and fourth.
"I'd love to coach an AFL club," he said, "but I don't think I'll get there.
"Those two both coached the club to four premierships in a row. I haven't coached one."
McGregor said his work commitments also might hold him back from higher postings. The 35-year-old commutes from Ocean Grove to Sunshine to run the Victorian and Tasmanian operations of a digital printing supplies company.
"I don't think I have the drive and commitment to coach at that level," he said.
McGregor recommended Neeld as a motivational speaker. The new Melbourne coach addressed the Ocean Grove players before a big match last year.
Ocean Grove president Geoff Cunningham said the Bellarine League club was ecstatic that two of its former coaches have been named AFL coaches within days of each other.
"This is just wonderful news," Cunningham said when afl.com.au informed him of McCartney's appointment at the Bulldogs.
McCartney was coaching reserves at Geelong League club Newtown and Chilwell before Ocean Grove appointed him senior coach in 1993. McCartney coached the Grubbers to premierships from 1994 to 1997.
Neeld was coaching mid-ranking amateur club Old Geelong before Ocean Grove appointed him in 2000. Neeld coached Ocean Grove to premierships from 2000 to 2003.
Cunningham said Neeld and McCartney were both determined characters with clear visions. Both concentrate on developing juniors and promoting strong ties with the Ocean Grove community.
McCartney made a point of asking the club's junior coaches to ensure that players would receive consistent messages on their path through the juniors to the seniors.
"If you looked Macca in the eye, you knew he meant business," Cunningham said.
McGregor found out that McCartney was a chance for the Bulldogs job at the Ocean Grove room last Friday night.
A committeeman told him while they were loading a truck with goods for the Bellarine League's Grand Final at Torquay the next day. Ocean Grove was on canteen duty at the Grand Final.
Cunningham said news of Neeld's appointment at Melbourne spread like wildfire around the ground during the Grand Final. Whispers of McCartney's appointment at the Bulldogs also did the rounds.
"We've always believed both men were destined for bigger and better things," Cunningham said.
