The 137-game Hawthorn and Collingwood player will join the Box Hill Hawks' coaching group for the 2021 VFL East Coast competition.

Box Hill is the VFL-affiliate of AFL powerhouse Hawthorn - who drafted Young as a rookie in 2005.

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Young's appointment will see him reconnect with 2008 premiership teammate Sam Mitchell, who takes the reins as the Hawks' senior coach.

"We're extremely happy with the group we've put together and believe it lays a solid foundation for a successful 2021," Hawthorn's general manager VFL and VFLW football Daniel Napoli said.

"We are a development-focused football club, and this group embodies that philosophy."

Young played 116 games for Hawthorn, with his last coming in the losing 2012 grand final.

Three seasons would follow at Collingwood, before a Minyip-Murtoa homecoming in 2016.

The former Burra is no stranger to coaching - having guided Gisborne to the Bendigo Football League finals for two seasons, before stepping down at the end of 2019.

Young steps into a new-look second-tier structure, with 22 clubs based in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria confirmed to line-up in the 2021 VFL East Coast competition - scheduled to begin in April.

MAKING NEWS:

Easing the transition will be fellow coaching group members, Andy Collins - who serves as senior assistant - Aaron Cornelius, Clay Illman and Clint Proctor.

"For our assistant and development roles, Aaron, Clay, Clint, Clinton and Andy round out an exciting group," Napoli said.

"We're confident we have the right mix of experience, skills and perspectives and look forward to them gelling over pre-season and attacking the season proper."