Hesson signalled his intention to step down last year and the search for his successor is nearing an end, association chief executive Ross Dykes said yesterday.
However, Dykes acknowledged he would have liked to have been a lot further through the process by now.
"I'm certainly a lot further behind than I wanted to be," Dykes said.
"We've talked to several [candidates] and we're continuing to talk to several, and that will go on until until at least the middle of next week."
The identity of those applicants remains a closely guarded secret. Former Otago player Matthew Maynard, who played eight first-class matches for Otago, was tipped as an early favourite for the Wellington job but was overlooked for former Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons.
Maynard has also been linked with the assistant's role with India but could still be a strong candidate for the Otago position.
Former New Zealand and Otago opening batsman Matt Horne was an early favourite but it is unclear whether Horne applied for the position; likewise former New Zealand spin bowler Dipak Patel, who has previously expressed interest in coaching at first-class level.
Canterbury development coach Paul Wiseman decided against applying, citing family reasons.
The job, it appears, is wide open.
"The sooner we can get someone in place, the sooner we can start preparing for next [season]," Dykes said, blaming the delay on logistics.
Dykes is joined by Otago cricket chairman Murray Hughes, Otago batsman Craig Cumming, New Zealand Cricket's director of cricket John Buchanan and Otago cricket high performance coach Mark Bracewell on the interview panel.
Getting the five-man panel and the candidates in one room at the same time has proved to be a difficult exercise.
"It is just one of those things. There are lots of little obstacles which stop you from doing things when you want to do them."
Asked if he was confident Otago had a strong candidate to replace Hesson, Dykes responded: "It is difficult to say because we are not at the point of looking like we are concluding anything yet."
Meanwhile, Hesson said he was not able to comment on media reports which suggest he is being positioned to replace Dave Currie as the Black Caps manager.
"At this stage, I'm unaware of any appointments being made and I can't really comment any further than that," Hesson said.
