Otago stalwart David Latta wants to be Otago's next coach.
Latta, who played 161 games for Otago in a career spanning 10 years, said yesterday he had applied for the Otago coaching job.
Applications for the job closed on Friday and Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said he hoped to have a shortlist drawn up by the end of this week, and then carry out interviews next week.
He declined to say how many people had applied for the job.
Latta, a builder in South Otago, said he had thrown his name in the hat but had no idea how he would go.
He said he did not put forward a preference for an assistant coach.
Otago Development coach Andrew Hunter said he had applied for the job along with his co-coach, Brett McCormack, putting forward a joint application.
Incumbent Steve Martin has applied for the job, while assistant coach Bruce Carvell is also hoping to continue in his role next year.
Former Highlanders assistant and former Southland coach Phil Young had indicated he would apply for the position, while Alhambra-Union premiership-winning coach Mike Moeahu had previously said he would apply for the job.
John Leslie said he would not be seeking the Otago job at this stage, saying he wanted to continue to learn the coaching role, and also wanted to wait so he was not coaching players he played with.
Former Otago assistant coach and current Canterbury assistant coach John Haggart said he would not be applying for the job.
Jeff Wilson is out of the race, after being named assistant coach of North Harbour last week.
Reid said the position was full-time in 2009 but that may change in 2010 as competition structures were reviewed.
The Super 14 was likely to change in 2010, and the Air New Zealand Cup was likely to change along with it, though what structure it will take is not yet known.
Otago had a disappointing season under Martin this year, the side missing the quarterfinals, finishing 10th.
Martin has come to the end of a three-year contract.
