Will the next Otago coach please put his hand up.
Everybody the Otago Daily Times contacted yesterday had either ruled himself out or was playing his cards close to his chest.
But early interest in the job has been strong, with Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes receiving a flurry of inquiries in the past week or so.
Outgoing coach Mike Hesson, who delivered two national titles in a six-year reign, signalled his intention to step down a year ago.
"Everybody knows we are looking for a coach and, in the last few weeks, I've probably had seven or eight calls from certain individuals to say they are interested," Dykes said.
"Of the interested parties there is some real quality, there is no question about that."
Some of that interest has come from overseas, with candidates from Australia, South Africa and the subcontinent making inquiries.
Within New Zealand, though, there are some interesting prospects. Former international and Otago cricketers Matt Horne and Paul Wiseman were reluctant to declare their hands, but the pair certainly did not dismiss the idea of returning to the province.
Both are keen to progress their coaching careers. Wiseman works for Canterbury as the network coach and Horne is the Auckland assistant coach.
Likewise White Ferns coach Gary Stead was not ruling himself "in or out" but said a shift to coaching a first-class team was the "next logical step" for his career.
"I'd look at all coaching jobs when they come up but I'm not sure I'm prepared to say whether I'm going to stick my name in yet or not," Stead said.
Wellington is also looking for a replacement for Anthony Stuart, but Stead said he had not applied for that job. His contract with the White Ferns has another 18 months to run, but like all contracts could be broken.
Former New Zealand spinner Dipak Patel was also evasive when answering questions about his coaching future.
However, he is certainly interested in coaching a first-class team and, reading between the lines, one gets the impression he is waiting to see if he will get the job in Wellington before trying his luck further south.
Volts assistant coach Mohit Rao said he was enjoying his role as assistant and was undecided whether he would apply.
Former Otago and Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson has set up a cricketing academy in Dunedin and is focusing on that for the next two years, although has not ruled out a return to team coaching in the future.
"I've had 12 years' experience coaching at first-class level but I've decided to concentrate on my own cricket academy and try and build that up," he said.
Otago cricket manager Mark Bracewell is not interested in the lifestyle of a first-class coach and added he was too close to one of the players. His son, Michael Bracewell, had a promising debut season for Otago.
Otago Country coach Andy Sainsbury could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Dykes said the association hope to make an appointment by the end of next month.
