Now in his 16th season as a coach, the dual AFL premiership player has his sights on a top job.
Caracella will coach the Bombers, the club he starred in the 2000 premiership season for, against Adelaide on Sunday in place of Ben Rutten.
It will be just for the one game as Rutten spends time in the AFL's coronavirus protocols.
But Caracella admits a head coaching position is on his radar after "falling into coaching" when his playing career ended abruptly in 2006.
After starting his coaching career at Collingwood, Caracella has spent time at Geelong, Richmond, and now Essendon.
"(Former Collingwood coach) Mick (Malthouse) gave me a chance to coach the forward line and through that journey I've had a lot of experience coaching in some good environments," Caracella told reporters on Friday.
"I think with that experience, confidence and belief that I can do the job.
"Fifteen years is a long time and I've matured as a person and I've learnt along the way.
"I fell into coaching and didn't really know if I wanted to do the senior job but obviously the last four, five, six years I've really enjoyed the demands of the job.
"I've watched Chris Scott, Damien Hardwick and Ben Rutten and been lucky enough to have some good mentors.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead but really Essendon this week is the most important thing."
At 0-3 after facing three of last season's top-four teams, the Bombers will be desperate to open their 2022 account at Marvel Stadium against the rebuilding Crows.
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