The AFL's next generation of coaches have been officially recognised, after seven coaches graduated from the first group of Level Four Coaches on Wednesday night.

Melbourne senior coach Simon Goodwin led the group, who now hold the highest accreditation for coaches-in-waiting after a long two-year course.

Alongside Goodwin were John Barker (Carlton), Stuart Dew (Sydney), Robert Harvey (Collingwood), Adam Kingsley (St Kilda), Simon Lloyd (Geelong) and Matthew Nicks (Port Adelaide).

The program looked to focus on developing the personal and coaching skills of all of the participants, who were mentored by some of Australia's biggest sporting brains.

Former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher, John Buchanan (cricket), Lisa Alexander (netball) and Ric Charlesworth (hockey) all featured as mentors, with AFL football operations manager Simon Lethlean saying the program was a resounding success.

"The seven coaches who took part in the Senior Coach Level Four Program were pleased with the high quality of leaders that we were able to provide them as mentors," Lethlean said.

"Not only did the coaches who took part in the program become better quality leaders, they also learnt what makes them tick in high-pressure situations both inside and outside the coaches box." 

The seven coaches were initially selected in March 2015 after a long interview process, with the past two years also bringing in worthy assistants.

10 coaches remain in the course, with Brett Kirk (Sydney), Brendon Lade (Port Adelaide), Leigh Tudor (North Melbourne), Dean Solomon (Gold Coast), Scott Burns (Collingwood) and Steven King (Western Bulldogs) the six men introduced to the course in 2017.

They join 2016 intake members Justin Longmuir (West Coast) and Jade Rawlings (Melbourne), as well as Peter Sumich and Brett Montgomery, who have both left the AFL system but are still in the course.