DUAL premiership player Ryan O'Keefe will be the senior coach of Adelaide's SANFL team next year.

O'Keefe replaces Heath Younie, who will focus on his role as the club's development manager.

O'Keefe has been with the Crows as a midfield development coach since the end of 2014 after ending a terrific playing career.

The 35-year-old played 286 games for Sydney and helped the Swans win premierships in 2005 and 2012.

"I'm honoured to be the club's new SANFL coach and excited to take on a new challenge," O'Keefe said.

"I'm looking forward to continuing to work with the great group of coaches we already have and helping the players get the best out of themselves."

Adelaide's head of football Brett Burton said O'Keefe's experience would hold him in good stead.

"Congratulations to Ryan, who will now take charge of our state league side on match day," Burton said.

“It is a great opportunity for (O'Keefe) to take the next step in his coaching career and build on the skills he has developed since joining us in 2014.

“We see player and coach development as a key area for us in 2017 and Ryan’s appointment will allow Heath Younie to focus on that full-time.”

Tate Kaesler will move into a newly created specialist position where he will oversee Adelaide’s team defence structures for both the AFL and SANFL teams.

The rest of Adelaide’s on-field coaching panel will remain the same along with the addition of former Crows captain Nathan van Berlo, who will be a forwards development coach after retiring this year.