Williams dismissed speculation that Laidley had been offered a role as match-day coach and said he had been presented with a position similar to that of West Coast strategy and innovation coach, Phil Walsh.
"I’m not sure where the suggestion of match-day coach came from. Dean would certainly have a role on match day and a significant role, but the other coaches have a significant role as well," Williams told afl.com.au.
"Dean’s also interested in mentoring and both of those things would be fantastic for the other coaches, the players and me. Dean has a different point of view. We coached against each other in the preliminary final in 2007. We came from completely different styles and backgrounds, but both reached the same point.
"Dean has done some great stuff, which he can offer to us and also challenge us in what we do and how we do it. Speaking to the other coaches, they’re excited to think that Dean might come here."
Laidley flew to Adelaide on Tuesday to continue talks with Port Adelaide. He is not the first big name the Power have tried to lure to Alberton for next season.
The club had earmarked Nathan Buckley, former Essendon star James Hird and new Richmond coach Damien Hardwick as possible successors to Williams when his current contract expires at the end of 2010.
Williams confirmed the club had shelved its succession plans after failing to secure the right person.
"The club’s not going down that [succession plan] path anymore. Initially, we agreed to it when it was a Nathan Buckley, James Hird or Damien Hardwick, or those sorts of people, involved," Williams said.
"Now, the others [potential senior coaches] will work their way through and at the end of the two years the club will decide what’s going on."
Only one of Williams’ current assistant coaches, Adam Kingsley, is under contract for 2010. Matthew Primus and Jason Cripps have both been offered new deals, but are yet to sign.
The duo will be heavily involved in Port Adelaide’s review process until the end of next week, by which point the club will expect an answer.
Williams was unsure whether the scrapping of the succession plan and subsequent lure of a senior coaching position would entice the pair to stay.
"I was very much at the forefront of the idea having someone, whether it be a current assistant coach or someone coming in, to develop into a person that if I got hit by a bus might be able to take over. I saw Matty [Primus] the other day getting a bus driver’s hat, so I better be watching out when I’m crossing the road," he said.
"I don’t think you should be anxious about the people around you as long as they’re here in the right spirit, they support you and are really working to get the result…what happens after that takes care of itself."
