After spending the past three years at J.C. Lowe Oval, the Pigeon assistant-coach was announced as Damian Sexton's successor at training on Tuesday night.

The Pigeons will miss the finals for the first time since 2005 this year with Whiley desperate to lift the club back up the ladder.

"I'm pretty chilled out by nature and never thought I'd coach but I'm looking forward to it," Whiley, 26, said.

"I love it down here."

Sexton said Whiley had all the makings of being a strong leader in the Ovens and Murray.

"Mark Whiley's work ethic and discipline is as good as you'll find in country footy," Sexton said.

"As a role model going forward, he's going to be great for the young blokes in particular.

"I think it's a really good appointment.

"Ability-wise he's not super talented as a player, but he's got there because of his attention to detail and attitude to wanting to be the best."

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Whiley enjoyed a sensational debut 2017 season for the Pigeons, winning the club's best and fairest by a staggering 95 votes from Xavier Leslie.

Although he has been hampered by injuries over the past two years, the former AFL player has maintained his standing as one of the league's elite players.

Whiley played nine senior matches for Carlton over two seasons and 12 in three years with Greater Western Sydney.

He was drafted by the Giants in 2010 as one of the club's NSW zone selections.

Yarrawonga committeeman Chris Kennedy said the Finley junior ticked a lot of boxes.

"He's hugely popular at the club which helps in regards to player retention and has worked really well with Damian Sexton in giving a lot of our younger players opportunities," Kennedy said.

"We're really excited about what he will bring to the club as coach."