Former Hawthorn Assistant Coach Brendon Bolton will return to the club as Director of Coaching.

Bolton first became affiliated with the brown and gold in late 2008 when he was appointed senior coach of Box Hill Hawks.

He coached Box Hill to consecutive finals appearances before being appointed as an assistant coach at Hawthorn at the end of 2009.

Bolton departed the Hawks on the eve of the 2015 finals to fill Carlton’s senior coach vacancy and went on to coach 77 games at the Blues.

Bolton said he and his family are thrilled to be returning to the Ricoh Centre.

“I’m really eager to return to Hawthorn and take on my next challenge,” Bolton said.

“I return to the Hawks with a wealth of new experiences, learning and knowledge and I’m really excited about the opportunity to help Hawthorn improve.

“My love of football is as strong as ever and the chance to work with the Hawks’ coaching group is something that really excites me.

“Hawthorn feels like home for me and my family and we are incredibly happy to be back in the brown and gold.”

Hawthorn Senior Coach Alastair Clarkson said the club is delighted to welcome Bolton back to the fold.

“Bolts is a quality character and we are thrilled to have him back at the Hawks,” Clarkson said.

“In his time at Hawthorn, he displayed a fantastic ability to build strong relationships with the playing and coaching groups, and his teaching background enables him to excel in assisting people with their development.

“Having the opportunity to be a senior coach, Bolts has gained invaluable experience and knowledge that will help us in taking our coaching group to that next level.

“We look forward to having Brendon, wife Louisa and their children Ned and Rosie back at Hawthorn.”