Otago coach Steve Martin has come to the end of his three-year contract, and has indicated he is keen to continue.
But with the side failing to make the quarterfinals, fashioning a four-win, one-draw, five-loss record in the Air NZ Cup, some have questioned whether Martin should return.
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said yesterday he had hoped to make an announcement on the position this week but had been delayed by other commitments.
He now hoped to make a decision next week.
Martin coached the team with Bruce Carvell and they had supplied a full summary of the season to union management.
Reid would not be drawn on whether the positions would be contested, or whether Martin and Carvell would simply be offered another year.
Martin (50) is keen to come back, saying players had progressed this year and he wanted to be involved with them again next year.
He is also a Highlanders assistant coach, so he may be a good fit to continue in the job, as he has time with the same players.
He pointed to the last game of the season when Otago beat a previously unbeaten Wellington as a game in which his side finally put it all together, and said it could build on that performance.
Martin is helped by there being no obvious successor.
It may be too soon for University A coach John Leslie, who wants to concentrate on his club role for another year at least, while David Latta is mulling his options after being involved with Otago Country for the past three years.
Bringing a coach in from outside the province looks unlikely, as previous imports, such as Glenn Ross, have not been successful.
But Martin has steered his side from a semifinal in 2006 to a quarterfinal last year, then failed to make post-season play this season, a record which does not make pretty reading.
A decision is also expected next week on who will be the Highlanders assistant coach, replacing Murray Roulston.
Interviews were held for the New Zealand Rugby Union appointment on Thursday. Hawkes Bay coach Peter Russell appears the favourite.
The appointment is for a backs coach, and five people were interviewed. Southland co-coaches Simon Culhane and David Henderson did not apply.
