Adelaide Crows chief executive Steven Trigg has guaranteed Neil Craig will remain coach of the AFL club for the 2012 season at a minimum.

The Crows have started the season poorly, with only one win in their first three matches, which included a fade-out loss to Port Adelaide last round.

In an unprecedented move, Craig was taken off contract and placed on staff before the start of the season, removing the safety net of a fixed term as coach.

But Trigg said he was still certain to be coaching the club in 2012 and most likely much longer than that.

"Neil will certainly be coaching the Adelaide Crows beyond this year," Trigg told the Nine Network's AFL Footy Show on Thursday night.

"In fact, he will be coaching us for as far as the eye can see.

"We assess every part of our club all the time and we have a long-term perspective of where we are at.

"There are so many things to consider, not just the outcome of a football match."

The Crows came 12th last season, missing the finals for the first time in Craig's six full seasons in charge.

They play Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

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