The Otago Rugby Football Union will
appoint a new coach before Christmas to replace Steve Martin,
who has filled the role for the past four years.
The job was advertised yesterday and applications close on November 20.
"We want Otago to be successful and will choose a coach who is best equipped to make Otago a consistently winning team," ORFU chairman Ron Palenski told the Otago Daily Times yesterday. "We have no idea at this stage who that might be."
An appointment is expected to be made by the middle of December.
"We want to give the coach time to work with players not in the Highlanders and to prepare them for next winter," Palenski said.
Palenski wants the team to be well prepared and ready for a possible early Ranfurly Shield challenge against Southland.
Candidates can apply on their own or with a nominated assistant.
"If the appointed head coach does not have a nominated assistant, he will be involved in the selection process for that position," ORFU chief executive Richard Reid said.
The position has also been advertised on the ORFU website and Reid expects to have an interest from overseas coaches.
"We have advertised through the New Zealand Rugby Union that has contacts overseas with coaches who are looking to come back to New Zealand," Reid said.
"It is important for us to appoint the right person."
The selection panel is Palenski, Reid, ORFU deputy chairman Adrian Read and ORFU board member and former Otago coach Wayne Graham.
Possible candidates for the job include David Latta (Otago Country coach), John Leslie (former Otago captain), Bruce Carvell (Otago assistant coach), Mike Moeahu (Alhambra-Union premier coach for past four years), Jamie Joseph (Wellington coach) and Phil Young (former Southland coach).