Dean Laidley has committed to continue as a Port Adelaide assistant coach after missing out on AFL head coaching jobs in Victoria.

Laidley cited personal reasons for returning to Melbourne at the end of the 2010 season, but will now split his time between Adelaide and Melbourne next year.

Laidley, who was contracted to Port for the 2010 season, unsuccessfully applied for the senior coaching job at Essendon, filled by James Hird.

The former Kangaroos coach was also believed to be a candidate for an as yet undetermined director of coaching role with the Bombers.

But Port on Wednesday said Laidley would continue at the South Australian club next year, spending four days a week in Adelaide and the other three in Melbourne.

Laidley, who joined Port last season, will be the Power's midfield coach - a role he performed in the last seven rounds when Matthew Primus replaced Mark Williams as senior coach.

Primus, since appointed as Port's head coach for the next three seasons, said he was thrilled to retain Laidley's services.

"Dean was of course always one of our top targets for this role," Primus said in a statement.

"Dean built a great relationship with both the players and coaching staff while he was here and we're very pleased that he's continuing on.

"He brings great experience to our coaching group and he'll once again be fantastic for not only myself, but for our entire coaching staff."

Securing Laidley completes Port's coaching staff, with Jason Cripps and Garry Hocking remaining at the club as the other assistants.

Geelong great Hocking was a development coach at Port in 2010 but will assume control over the forward line from next season.

"Garry has got a great footy brain and terrific ability to share his knowledge with others, Primus said.

"He fast tracked the development of some of our younger players and set up a great development academy here at the club over the last season."

Former Sydney Swan Matthew Nicks and ex-SANFL coach Daniel Healy will be development coaches at Alberton next year.

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