Another AFL premiership coach is officially off the market after the Western Bulldogs locked away Luke Beveridge until the end of 2023.
Beveridge, who led the Bulldogs to the flag in 2016, was due to come out of contract next season but has extended his deal for a further three years.
North Melbourne, Carlton and St Kilda are all hunting for new coaches and there had been speculation the Saints would look to lure Beveridge, who finished his 118-game playing career at St Kilda, back to Moorabbin.
Having guided his rebuilding side back to finals contention this season, Beveridge said he was grateful to stay on at Whitten Oval.
"It is such a privilege to work with so many great people who do an outstanding job of guiding and nurturing our young men," he said.
"It is also an honour to be associated with a club that does so much in the community and continues to provoke thought around our social conscience and what we can do for others.
"It is a responsibility I will continue to manage with the weight it deserves as we strive to be the best team again."
Beveridge took the Bulldogs to the finals in his first season in charge in 2015 and has coached the side to 60 wins from 109 games.
Bulldogs chief executive Ameet Bains said Beveridge had been a strong leader and role model at the club.
"We've been in discussions with Luke for a while about an extension, and we're thrilled to have formalised the new deal," Bains said.
"Luke has clearly demonstrated his coaching ability, as well as a profound way of connecting with his players, with a capacity to build strong relationships with the people around him."
Beveridge's decision to stay on at the Bulldogs removes another leading contender for the three vacant senior coaching positions.
Sydney mentor John Longmire had been strongly linked to North Melbourne but last week extended his contract at the Swans to the end of 2023.
Hawthorn mastermind Alastair Clarkson and West Coast premiership coach Adam Simpson are both contracted at their respective clubs until the end of 2022 and have publicly declared they're going nowhere.