THE NEXT man to coach Melbourne will have at his disposal one of the most exciting young lists in the AFL.

Of the three coaching vacancies in the League at the moment, the Demons gig is possibly the most enticing from a purely footballing perspective.

The sub-committee formed to select the next Demons coach has not followed the path of bringing in external people or anyone with AFL coaching experience but in Jim Stynes, Garry Lyon, Cameron Schwab, Guy Jalland and Don McLardy they have five people who know the club's history and the detailed problems facing it at the moment.

The very first question they will be asking at the very first meeting is what are the characteristics our next coach needs to have?

To explore this, you need to look at both the best in the business and those that are seen as the rising stars in coaching circles.

This is not to say that the Demons should only go after established senior coaches such as Mick Malthouse, Alastair Clarkson or Ross Lyon even though they would be negligent not to at least inquire about them.

But what characteristics do these three possess that the Demons will seek?

All three have been at the forefront of creating new game styles that have been replicated around the League.

Collingwood, St Kilda and Hawthorn have all led the way in implementing a defensive game that makes it difficult for opposition teams to work the ball up from one end of the ground to another.

There is not a coach in the League that would not place a high emphasis on defence but the trick lies in implementing the plan with the players.

Melbourne's list is largely inexperienced and young and maybe they would need a coach to suit that demographic.

Gone are the fire-and-brimstone days where a coach would yell and scream in the hope of generating some motivation in their players - and the Demons might want to look at someone who is not necessarily a booming orator but rather one who can foster relationships with each of his 40-odd players and develop them both as players and people.

It couldn't hurt to follow the lead of North Melbourne two years ago and appoint someone with a similar philosophy to Brad Scott.

Scott made it clear from early in his reign that he would not berate or belittle players as there was little to be gained from that practice in modern football.

That is not to say Scott is soft on his players, far from it.

But he seems to have struck a balance between understanding his young players while also commanding respect.

It is a balance not easily achieved. Many leaders in politics, community and business also struggle find the balance so the Demons will have their work cut out finding someone with those characteristics.

There are plenty of highly-regarded coaches going around who are known to deliver stinging tirades to their players when needed.

Melbourne fans have been calling loudly for a hard man to take the role and put the fear of God into a playing list that has at times this season looked dispirited.

Maybe that is exactly what they are after, but would this be simply a way of letting out anger at the playing list or a legitimate method of improving them?

Every time a coaching job opens up, the big names are the first to be mentioned as potential candidates.

But maybe Melbourne should take the same approach it has with its playing list and embrace a youngster with fresh ideas.

Chat live with Luke Holmesby today at 11.30am (AEST)

Luke Holmesby covers Melbourne news for afl.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_LHolmesby