Beaufort's 2018 premiership coach has signed a new deal with North Central league club Donald, where he last played in a flag back in 2006.

He has been appointed as senior coach for the 2021 season.

It's a special moment for Brown, who is Donald "born and bred" and still has family in the town.

Brown said it was great to follow in the footsteps of the coaches he watched growing up.

"It's pretty exciting and surreal to be going back home," Brown said.

"I can't wait. It's a big challenge for us. We haven't had premiership success since 2006 so hopefully we can get to finals and see what happens.

"To get home and to get back to the club I started with, Mum and Dad being in town and (to have) the family to go back, that was a pretty big lure.

"I'm looking forward to the club development and junior development side of things..."

Brown left the Beaufort helm at the end of the 2019 season - one that saw him also joint-coach the Central Highlands interleague side - and took up a senior assistant position with North Ballarat City for 2020.

The father of two said it was disappointing to not get a full season in with City.

"I loved working with Skonna (senior coach Shane Skontra) and the guys there early on and that higher level stuff. It really opened my eyes up to the whole football world basically," he said.

In a statement on its Facebook page, the Donald Football Netball Club praised Brown's communication skills and knowledge of the game.

"Player development right across the club is a strong focal point for Rohan and he is looking forward to working with our senior and junior lists," it read.

Donald, under Jacob Werts and Patrick Purcell, reached a semi-final in season 2019.