Latta was appointed as a selector for the team this year, as the Otago Rugby Football Union wanted him to get involved with the team and learn about professional rugby.
Latta said he had learned about the ins and outs of professional rugby in the past season, and was keen to put his hand up for the Otago coaching job.
"I think I have learned a lot of things about professional rugby this year and the processes and that, but it is still a simple game. A lot of people try to over-complicate things," he said.
Latta, who has coached Otago Country for the past four years, has enjoyed some success, winning the triangular trophy involving Otago Country, Southland Country and Canterbury Country for the past three years.
He acknowledged he was a fairly basic sort of coach, but open to ideas and sharing ideas with the players.
A veteran of 161 games for Otago, mostly at hooker, Latta is based in Balclutha and said he could still base himself there if he was appointed coach.
"I managed it as a player, so I can't see why I can't do it as a coach."
Latta, a self-employed builder, said he was not in for the coaching job for the money, and it would be up to him to sort out his building company if he got the job.
Earlier this year, Latta attended a coaching course at the International Rugby Academy, paid for by the Otago union, and he enjoyed what was offered.
"I learned heaps of things and it also gives you some reassurance that what you are doing is the right thing."
Latta, who has coached Otago Country with Marty Hurring, said he had yet to sound out Hurring on his availability to join him if he got the Otago job.
But he said Hurring was a good coach who had notched up some impressive results, helping the South Otago High School First XV to a fine season.
Hurring is due to attend a coaching course at the International Rugby Academy in the next couple of months.
Latta said the Air New Zealand Cup was a fantastic competition this year, with tight matches and the smaller provinces showing they could match it with the bigger teams.
He felt the domestic competition should not be altered.
"There are two things we have to protect in New Zealand rugby. That is club rugby and the domestic competition. It has been the lifeblood for our rugby for the past 100 years."
He wanted to see what the New Zealand Rugby Union would do with the new competition before he committed to Otago.
Latta has attended trainings with the Otago team over the past couple of weeks and said the side was working hard, but many things had led to its disappointing record of three wins from 10 games.
"But you've got to be up for every game, because if you're not, then the opposition will be into you. Different things can create problems and one of the biggest things can be the opposition.
"I'm a big believer in controlling the controllables. You can use a lot of energy over things you can't control. You have to be wary of the opposition but you've also got to make sure of your own game plan."
Otago coach Steve Martin's contract is up at the end of the season after four years in charge.
