Hawthorn great Shane Crawford has urged Sam Mitchell to enjoy the highs of coaching as he prepares to take over from Alastair Clarkson, calling on his ex-teammate to take a page out of Nathan Buckley's book.
Mitchell is set to take over as Hawthorn's senior coach in 2023 after the club announced a succession plan between he and the incumbent Alastair Clarkson.
MORE: Crawford rubbishes early Clarkson exit speculation
History hasn't been kind to coaching succession plans in the past, with Collingwood's transition between Mick Malthouse and Nathan Buckley at the end of 2011 infamous for its rocky ending.
However, Crawford believes there is a lesson for Mitchell to take out of Buckley's coaching career, particularly the early years.
"The biggest thing for Sam will be, it's a great job and it's a high-pressure job, but as long as he can smile and enjoy the good times [that is the main thing]," he told Wide World of Sports.
"Yes, it's a serious business and in the press conference you want to get across the points you want to get across, but it's OK to smile every now and then.
"He can learn from when Nathan Buckley took over [at Collingwood]. The first few years, Nathan Buckley looked like he wasn't enjoying himself, but then the last few years, even under enormous pressure, he was the best coach to listen to when he spoke to the media.
"He was extremely engaging and a good personality and really connected with [the fans]. You don't want to look like you're joking around, but you've got to laugh and enjoy the moments when the right moment presents itself."
Crawford believes Mitchell possesses several similarities to Clarkson, but admitted that the incoming coach will want to make his own imprint on the team as opposed to simply being a "Clarkson clone".
"I know what Sam will be doing, he'll be like, 'Yes, Alastair Clarkson is a genius and he's brilliant at what he does, but I'd do it this way'," he said.
"He'll definitely have his thoughts, it won't be an Alastair Clarkson clone, It'll be Sam Mitchell's way he wants to attack his footy.
"They can both be very honest with their feedback and not afraid to tell you how it is and not afraid to pull someone up when they feel they're getting away from what they need to do.
"Alastair Clarkson also had a teaching background and Sam is a real teacher himself.
"They're both real innovators with what they do. Alastair Clarkson was always thinking about how he could make the game faster or how we could defend better, and Sam is very much that.
"He's super intelligent with what he does, he's ruthless like Alastair Clarkson, although he's got a bit of a softer side now and a bit more understanding that not everyone is wired the same way."
Clarkson made his mark on Hawthorn when he first arrived in 2004 by axing a number of veterans, and Crawford hinted that Mitchell also could do the same.
"He's definitely someone who won't be afraid to make really big, hard calls," he said.
"He's obviously played under Alastair Clarkson for a long, long time and he's seen that sometimes you've got to be tough. He's definitely not a coach who will sit on the fence.
"He's always had good, strong opinions and strong beliefs, and I think that's really important when you take charge of a football club.
"If a football club is to be successful, you do need a coach who can be brutally honest, but you also need someone who can put their arm around you and you feel like they're with you, not against you."
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