Barry Matthews, who had coached the side for the past three years, indicated last month he would not be coaching the team this season, wishing to concentrate on family and work.
North Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Colin Jackson said it would start advertising for interest in the job this week.
''We have no preference and will just see who is out there and who wants to come and be part of the North Otago culture,'' Jackson said.
''But I think it is pretty clearly documented that there is a pathway going through the Heartland competition to go on to bigger things. Hopefully, we will get a number of high-quality candidates.''
The position was not full-time but was paid.
He said the person appointed did not have to live in Oamaru but would have to be prepared to commit to a busy programme.
Matthews' assistant coach over the past couple of years, Shane Carter, is not seeking the position, as he is helping coach the Waitaki Boys' High School first XV.
The Heartland Championship starts on August 24.
Jackson said coaches in Oamaru had already shown some interest and the union hoped to appoint someone by the end of next month.
He said it was disappointing to lose someone of the calibre of Matthews but the former halfback would still be available to assist the union in various capacities.
Financially, the union had recorded a slight deficit from its previous financial year. It had budgeted to break even and nearly did that, only just going into the red, with a deficit of $2000.
A couple of small changes to the union's constitution had been carried out at a special general meeting on Monday night in Oamaru.
Jackson said they were only minor changes that just reflected changes to the rugby landscape in recent years.
Bill Dean will continue as chairman of the union.
Jackson said the union was set to announce a major new sponsor this week after Summit Wool Spinners withdrew before winding down its operations in Oamaru.
He said the union continued to gain support from its loyal band of sponsors.
