Hocking joins the Pies from SANFL club South Adelaide, having previously served at Port Adelaide where he was caretaker coach late in 2012 following the departure of Matthew Primus.

Hocking joins Justin Longmuir as recent addition to the Pies' coaching panel, while Matthew Boyd was last month appointed as a development coach.

Collingwood football chief Geoff Walsh said Hocking was a terrific addition. "Garry comes to us having spent time coaching in the AFL system, the SANFL, VFL, WAFL and TAC Cup, all of which have shaped him into the coach he is today," Walsh said.

"We think Garry rounds out our team of coaches really well. He has strong people management skills, having led his own teams, and will bring great knowledge and insights into his role as stoppages coach."

Hocking said he was "extremely excited" to head to the Pies. "The club has a focus on creating sustained success and hopefully I bring a skill set that compliments the other quality coaches already in place and together we can achieve that," he said.

Meanwhile, women's football pioneer Debbie Lee has left Melbourne to take up a position as general manager of women's football at the Western Bulldogs.