Interviews have concluded for the position of Otago coach, with a decision due by the end of the week.
The last of the interviews for the position was concluded yesterday and Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said he hoped an appointment would be made by the end of the week.
The full-time position was for one year only.
Current coach Steve Martin had reached the end of his three-year contract, and has applied to continue.
Others interviewed for the position include former Otago assistant coach Phil Young and former Otago hooker and captain David Latta.
The Otago union has beefed up its commercial arm, with a new manager joining the union.
Mike Kerr is the union's new commercial manager, while Chris Green, who was formally commercial and marketing manager, will concentrate more on marketing matters.
Reid said most other Super 14 base unions had commercial and marketing staff numbers of between five and eight, yet the Otago union only had two.
He said the union had to put more emphasis on commercial matters.
Kerr had previously worked for the union before travelling overseas.
Marketing assistant Shane Merriman was leaving the union at the end of the year, as was event-ticketing administrator Hannah Catchpole.
Both were heading overseas.
Diane Ede, who has previously worked in various administration roles with Otago rugby, was now working in an administration support role with the Highlanders.
The wider Highlanders training squad is due to be named on Friday.
The squad includes players who will train with the full Highlanders squad and who may be called into the team when injuries arise.
Two players unavailable for the squad are Otago fullback Glen Horton, who has had shoulder surgery and is out of all rugby until April, and Southland back Matt Saunders, who has a hip injury and is out of rugby for four to six months.
The Highlanders squad starts training on December 1.
