Mike Mullins will not be returning to coach North Otago next season, saying he wants to look for other opportunities in the game.
Mullins (44) has coached North Otago for six seasons in two different periods, his last period from 2013.
Mullins said taking on the reins for North Otago again over the past couple of years had really reignited his passion for coaching and he was looking around for opportunities.
Those opportunities could be in New Zealand or overseas but he had come to an agreement with the North Otago union he would not coach the side next year.
Mullins was employed by Youthtown, as a co-ordinator, running after-school and holiday programmes in Oamaru.
The former Ireland midfield back said he had nothing concrete yet but was actively looking. He wanted to move ahead in coaching and felt he could not commit to coaching North Otago next year when he was looking at other options.
He had applied for the Bay of Plenty job but had missed out. He had also applied for the Otago role and had yet to hear anything back about that position.
North Otago made it to the Meads Cup final in 2013 and hosted the Lochore Cup final this year.
Mullins said the side was plagued by inconsistency this season and could not string decent performances together.
North Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Colin Jackson said the union had talked with Mullins and was comfortable with his decision to not come back next year.
He said the union was taking a breather at the moment and would look to advertise for a new coach some time next month.
Mullins coached the team with Troy Looms this year.
Jackson said coaching a Heartland Championship team was a proven pathway for coaches and players to progress to the professional game.
Neighbouring union South Canterbury is also on the hunt for a new coach after it dumped Chester Scott.
