Neitz, who turns 40 in January, will be the Hawks' specialist key position coach after the role was turned down by Danny Frawley earlier this month only days after he was appointed. Frawley chose to return to St Kilda, also in a part-time defensive role.

Neitz, a former Melbourne captain and club games and goals record-holder, had joined the league's rotating tribunal panel in 2014, adjudicating on a number of high-profile cases, including the Brian Lake-Drew Petrie choking incident and Brent Harvey's elbowing of Bulldog antagonist Liam Picken.

League rules prohibit tribunal members from holding positions at AFL clubs, meaning Neitz has to step down.

The 2002 Coleman medallist and Keith "Bluey" Truscott medal winner is dipping his toes into coaching waters for the first time since his retirement early in 2008.

He will begin on Monday, and will be charged with helping to develop the Hawks' younger talls as they look to plan ahead for life beyond the likes of the ageing Josh Gibson and Lake.

Hawthorn football operations manager Chris Fagan was pleased to have landed a player as decorated as Neitz.

"The fact that David earned All-Australian selection as a centre half-back in 1995 and then again seven years later as a full forward indicates he has a great deal of experience at both ends of the ground that he can impart on our younger players," Fagan said.

"As a 300-plus game player, we are also pleased that he will be available to provide guidance and advice for our senior players."

"David will bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the team, which will complement and enhance our current coaching group," Fagan said.

Neitz played 306 games and kicked 631 goals across 16 seasons at the Demons. He captained the club in the 2000 grand final loss to Essendon.

He will continue to work in his digital role at vitamin company Swisse.