Cooper said the Highlanders were a team close to his heart, and the side was the one he had the most passion for of all the teams with which he had been involved.
But he would have to talk to those close to him and listen to views he respected before he made any decision to seek the job.
Cooper had heard talk of his name being put forward as a candidate but he simply had not made any move to apply for the job.
However, that did not mean he would not not seek the position.
The Highlanders are looking to replace Jamie Joseph for next season as Joseph moves to Japan to coach the national side.
A month ago, the Highlanders announced they were seeking candidates for the position and expected high interest.
Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark said at the time the incoming coach would have to work with the current management and coaching group and would not be able to bring in his own staff.
Cooper is still close to Highlanders assistant coach Tony Brown.
Brown had been seen by many as the logical successor to Joseph but had said he did not want the job, preferring to continue as an assistant coach with the franchise.
Cooper (50), a former Otago and All Black fullback, was an assistant coach with the Highlanders with Laurie Mains for two seasons.
He was then the head coach for the southern franchise for four years in 2004-07 before he moved to the Blues as an assistant coach for one year.
He has spent seven years coaching with NEC in Japan before returning permanently to Dunedin last year.
Cooper said the Highlanders had changed greatly since he was last involved and had gone to a new level.
Cooper enjoyed mixed success with the Highlanders in his four years in charge.
The side did not make the playoffs although it had a great run in 2005, winning five games in a row but finishing just out of the playoffs, which were a lot harder to make back then than they are now.
The former custodian was not helped by a ruling in his last years as head coach in which the Highlanders board decided players from the draft would not be picked up.
The Super rugby scene has changed greatly since Cooper departed to Japan.
The biggest change is the ability of franchises to directly contract players no matter what province they represent.
The Highlanders have built a strong coaching and management squad and Cooper does tick the box in regards to having a coach with southern connections.
There is not a massive list of candidates to fill Joseph's shoes.
Brown is not interested and former Wallabies and Crusaders coach Robbie Deans has also ruled himself out.
Former Canterbury and Munster coach Rob Penney told the Otago Daily Times earlier this week he was not in the loop for the job.
Former England coach Stuart Lancaster is keen to get a job at Super rugby level but it would be a stretch for him to gain an appointment.
The Highlanders are expected to draw up a shortlist next month and hope to announce the new coach in June.
The new coach will not take over until the end of the 2016 Super rugby season.
