The former Warrnambool assistant coach was excited about the new challenge, which will see him work with Dogs leader Travis Thornton.

"They approached me first, which they've done the last couple of years," Parkinson said.

"It's something I've always thought about so I finally decided to do it."

Thornton believed Parkinson had the experience to lift Dennington, which was knocked out of this year's elimination final after finishing fifth.

"He has been under some really good coaches at Warrnambool," Thornton said.

"He'll play an on-ball rotation role on the field and have a lot of control of the backline, which needs a bit of work because it's where we fell down last year."

Thornton predicted the new assistant would settle into the club well.

"His sisters and brothers-in-law all play for the club and he knows the players, so he already has a foot in the door," he said.

"He will bring a lot of experience to the club as well as different methods of training, leadership and new ideas."