Scotland leaves the Devils, with which he played as a junior, after three years at the helm.

He led Darley to its second Ballarat Football League premiership in his first season in 2017, as well as finals campaigns last year and this season.

Scotland, who coached Donvale in the Eastern league after his 268-game AFL career with Collingwood and Carlton before returning to Darley, made his last appeareance for the Devils in a loss to Redan in an elimination final.

The 39-year-old said he had always had ambitions to coach at the highest level and this opportunity was too good to pass up.

Scotland will work with the Roos' one-to-four year players, as well as being a line coach for North Melbourne in the VFL.

He said being able to help the young guys progress through was something he was really passionate about.

Scotland promoted this approach at Darley this year, blooding numerous players from under-19 ranks at senior level.

He played as many as nine under-19s in games in the home and away season.

Darley president Mark Shelly said Scotland's development of youngsters had the Devils well placed for the future.

He said the club was proud to have played a part in getting Scotland into the AFL system.

Shelly said Scotland would hold a special place at Darley.

Scotland announced his retirement as a player after the 2017 premiership, but continued to play when injuries allowed.

Shelly said the Devils did not yet have any candidates for the coaching job in the pipeline and would begin the search for a replacement - most likely a non-playing coach - immediately.

He said the club was in a strong position with a core group of key players, including the likes oif Nick and Brian Graham, Shane Page and Darren Leonard, and a signficiant number of youngsters re-signed for the next year.

A major recruiting priority will be securing a frontline ruckman.