West Coast have lost another AFL coach from their ranks, with assistant David Teague announcing his resignation in order to return to Victoria.

Teague, who has been West Coast’s backline coach since 2011, recently became a father and wants to return home to continue his coaching career.

The former North Melbourne and Carlton defender becomes the third coach to leave West Coast in the past fortnight.

Strategy coach Phil Walsh was the first to quit in order to return to South Australia.

And senior coach John Worsfold stood aside last week after 12 years in the role, saying he no longer had the passion, hunger or drive to continue.

The Eagles expect to announce Worsfold’s replacement by mid-October.

Current assistant coach Scott Burns is in the running to take over, along with current Fremantle assistant Peter Sumich.

But should Burns miss out on the role, then Melbourne could poach him to work under their new coach Paul Roos.

Teague said the time was right to return to Melbourne.

“With the decision around the appointment of the senior coach to replace John likely to take up to a month, it’s a good time to look at other opportunities and challenges,” Teague said.

West Coast started 2013 as a genuine premiership fancy, but finished 13th after managing just nine wins.

Star midfielder Daniel Kerr, who is contracted for next season, could be forced to retire due to ongoing concerns over both of his knees.