Murray Davis, who coached the potent Lions forward line, will head to West Lakes in the newly created role of coaching director.
Davis has been with the Lions for 13 years and has an extensive resume in Queensland football.
He has twice won coach-of-the-year awards in local leagues.
The Crows have not made the top eight since their 2017 grand final disaster.
Nicks has been Adelaide coach since 2020 and expectations were high after they narrowly missed the finals last season.
In March, he re-signed with Adelaide until the end of 2026.
But the Crows lost their first four games and slumped to 15th, with eight wins and a draw.
Adelaide are also trying to lure Collingwood's former football boss Graham Wright to oversee their program.
After being a key figure in the Magpies' premiership last season, Wright took a sabbatical this year and then left the club.
Adelaide previously have tried to bring in highly respected football administrator Neil Balme, but three years ago he opted to stay at Richmond.
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