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Murray Davis, who coached Brisbane's potent AFL premiership attack, will head to Adelaide in the newly created coaching director role.

A long-time assistant coach at AFL premiers Brisbane is heading to Adelaide as they beef up support for Matthew Nicks.

Murray Davis, who coached the potent Lions forward line, will head to West Lakes in the newly created role of coaching director.

Davis has been with the Lions for 13 years and boasts an extensive resume in Queensland football.

He has twice won coach-of-the-year awards in local leagues. 

The Crows have not made the top eight since their 2017 grand final disaster.

"Over the past couple of months, we have been evaluating and exploring ways in which we can fine-tune our coaching structure and been searching for someone to complement the strengths of Matthew and his assistants," Adelaide football boss Adam Kelly said in a club statement.

"Murray comes to us with a diverse range of football and coaching experiences, as well as detailed insights from a high-functioning and successful program at Brisbane.

"We have the utmost respect for what Brisbane have been able to do and the way in which they have gone about their business, and Murray has been a witness and contributor to their rise."

The Crows said Davis would work "in particular" with assistant coaches Scott Burns, Nathan van Berlo and Jack Hombsch.

Nicks has been Adelaide coach since 2020 and expectations were high after they narrowly missed the finals last season.

In March, he re-signed with Adelaide until the end of 2026.

But the Crows lost their first four games and slumped to 15th, with eight wins and a draw.

Adelaide are also trying to lure Collingwood's former football boss Graham Wright to oversee their program.

After being a key figure in the Magpies' premiership last season, Wright took a sabbatical this year and then left the club.

Adelaide previously have tried to bring in highly respected football administrator Neil Balme, but three years ago he opted to stay at Richmond. 

Also on Thursday, Adelaide announced several changes to their development and other support staff.

Lions football manager Danny Daly said Davis had played a "vital role" in the club rising from the wooden spoon to becoming premiers.

They also confirmed his long-time partner Breeanna Brook will stay at Brisbane as head of their women's program.