Following a lengthy process, the club announced the 47-year-old would join the NRL club on a two-year deal to take over from caretaker Tony Iro who oversaw the end of the club's disastrous 2012 season which saw Brian McLennan sacked in August after eight wins from 22 matches.
Elliott is one of the most experienced operators in the game, boasting 14 seasons and more than 360 games as a head coach with Bradford in the English Super League plus Canberra and Penrith in the NRL.
He was twice named Super League coach of the year, won a Super League championship and Challenge Cup with the Bulls, led the Raiders to the NRL finals four times in five seasons and the Panthers to their only finals campaign in the past eight seasons when they finished second in the minor premiership in 2010.
The appointment followed a recruitment process involving chief executive Wayne Scurrah, recruitment and development manager Dean Bell and chairman Bill Wavish, with input from other board members and owners Owen Glenn and Eric Watson.
Thursday Island-born Elliott was assistant coach with the Sydney Roosters this season.
"I'm elated to take up this role with the Vodafone Warriors," he said.
"This is not just a job. It's a unique opportunity to harness a big organisation with the potential to deliver sustained success.
"In my meetings with Eric, Owen, Bill, Wayne and Dean I could not help but be enthused with their determination and vision to unlock that potential and the player talent available to the club.
"This is a massive opportunity for us all and I can't wait to get on with it."
Elliott will take up his role immediately.
"We're thrilled to secure a coach of Matthew's calibre," said Scurrah.
"He's had wide experience and success with a number of clubs, initially making his mark winning titles with Bradford in the English Super League and also taking Canberra and Penrith to the NRL finals a total of five times.
"While we have spoken to a number of contenders, Matthew consistently impressed us every time we met him with his total vision of how our football programme should be structured and run.
"Through his long association with the game as a player and especially as a coach, he appreciates as much as anyone just what's required to achieve the standards we are striving for.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for Matthew as head coach to shape our football department to enable us to become a consistent threat in the NRL. Our ultimate goal will always be to win premierships and, in Matthew, we have secured a coach not only capable of achieving this but also with the skills and vision to build a stronger total football club."
The club also confirmed they will be are active in the market looking to sign players to cover areas Elliott had identified.
They'll join the three players already acquired for 2013 - Melbourne premiership winners centre Dane Nielsen and loose forward Todd Lowrie plus returning 2003-2004 Warrior Thomas Leuluai, the Wigan halfback who was also a member of the Kiwis' winning campaigns at the 2008 World Cup and the 2010 Four Nations.
