Assistant coach Bruce Carvell has ruled himself out of the contest for the top Otago job and hopes the new coach will get support from the union.
Applications for the Otago position, vacated by Steve Martin, closed yesterday.
The consensus is that former Otago hooker David Latta remains the short-priced favourite to get the job, though it is also understood Northland coach Bryce Woodward, whose union seems destined to be relegated, has applied and is another strong candidate.
Rumours that former Otago loose forward Jamie Joseph, who coaches Wellington, was interested appear to be unfounded.
Bruce Carvell, who assisted Steve Martin for the past two and a-half years after a successful stint with the Otago B team, told the Otago Daily Times he had not applied.
He had been involved in coaching or rugby administration for 31 of the last 32 years and was ready for a break.
"I've had a very supportive business partner and staff and family over the last three years but the top job is a full-time position," Carvell said.
"It's something I've agonised over and I'm going to miss it like hell. I felt I had the support of the players as well."
Carvell is worried the new coach will have slim pickings next season if Otago loses more players.
Until the union worked harder to retain players and recruit new talent, it would be hard for the province to get better results.
"I want to see Otago go well and I want to see our young guys kick on and reach their potential," Carvell said.
"I think we've got the nucleus of a good side but we can't afford to lose 12-15 players a year like we have in the past few years.
"Hopefully, the union and the board can keep a stable team together. I realise the finances are tight but they need to look at creating more revenue and pumping that into keeping and recruiting players."
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said 12 applicants were being considered for the job.
Interviews would likely be held the week beginning November 30 and an appointment should be made by the middle of next month.
Otago Country coach and Otago selector Latta is presumed to be the leading candidate to replace Martin.
The Balclutha-based Latta has declared his intention to stand for the position, attending a course at the International Rugby Academy earlier this year to improve his coaching skills.
But Woodward could also present a compelling case.
He had two stints with Northland and also coached the New Zealand Colts to two world titles.
Otago B coach Mike Moeahu has put his name forward for the role.
He is stepping down after a successful stint with the Alhambra-Union premier side.
Murray Roulston, who was assistant coach for the Highlanders in 2008, has also put his hand up for the job.
The appointments panel is made up of Reid, ORFU chairman Ron Palenski, ORFU deputy chairman Adrian Read and former Otago captain and board member Wayne Graham.
