Mick Malthouse and Nathan Buckley have agreed to lead the Magpies' coaching division for the next five years.
Malthouse will remain senior coach of the side for the next two years, before becoming the club's director of coaching in 2012.
Buckley, a six-time club champion and Brownlow medallist, will then move from his role as Malthouse's assistant and become the club's 17th senior coach for the 2012 season.
"As an industry we're probably moving forward and that was the next stage. David Parkin did it a few years ago with Wayne Brittain (at Carlton in 2000), albeit a little different format to Mick and Nathan, but in some ways it was a prototype for the future," Roos said on Tuesday.
"It doesn't surprise me that teams are looking to beef up assistant coaching roles. And the senior coaching role is such a big role now that they're starting to look at transition periods and succession plans.
"It seems to be a well thought out plan. Mick's an outstanding coach ...and it's strengthened Mick's position ...and Nathan is well thought after in the industry."
Roos added that the Swans aren't looking at a similar plan but said the modern game is suited to an overseer type role of the sort Malthouse will be stepping into.
"You're just seeing the way of the future with a coaching director and succession plans and those sorts of things.
"The days of looking over your shoulder at assistant coaches are over."
As for his own assistant, Roos gave cautious support for any move John Longmire may take to further his own senior coaching ambitions - including the top job at his former club North Melbourne.
"I haven't sat down with John and talked through the North Melbourne position with him. He's very loyal and I'm sure his focus is on the next five weeks and the Sydney Swans footy club."
Roos added that Longmire was ready to hold down a senior coaching role in the AFL and would have his blessing should any move occur down the track.
"We didn't stand in the way of Rossy (Lyon) going to St Kilda so it's good when you see your assistant coaches going to other clubs if they don't have opportunities at your own club.
"I'd be supportive but I don't know whether John wants to do it and obviously the Kangaroos need to make a decision.
