Mooney, in his first year as Otago coach, has had a horror season, but he is keen to continue and get set up early for next season.
Otago finished bottom of the ITM Cup by eight points, scored the fewest number of points in the competition and won just two games all season. It did not score a four-try bonus point in any game.
Otago confirmed its position at the bottom of the ladder when, in a game to settle the wooden spoon, it was thumped 46-24 by Manawatu at Carisbrook on Saturday.
In a season to forget for Otago, the side started poorly in its first game back in July, against Counties-Manukau, and never got going after that.
Mooney said the season had been extremely difficult and extremely disappointing.
"We were probably slow to get things organised and get everything in place, so that put us behind the eight ball. A few games early on we had chances but for whatever reason they did not happen," he said.
"Then we got a few injuries and we did not have the player depth and then it became a bit of a battle.
"It has been extremely disappointing and that would be an understatement."
The union was looking at recruiting players and retaining others, and deputy chairman Laurie Mains, a former All Black coach, was in charge of pursuing players for next year.
Mooney said it was vital to get players into the side next year.
"I think we have the processes going on in terms of recruitment ... and I think we have to be extremely proactive in that. We need to be properly set up in 2011 so we know where we stand.
"We need to get the systems a little tighter in terms of the academy and get it tuned towards what is going on in the ITM Cup."
Although he did not state areas where Otago needs to get better, a decisive player in the No 10 jersey is vital, while a hard-driving No 8 would not go amiss.
Mooney said his captain, Alando Soakai, had stood out like a beacon throughout the season for his play, and he turned in a top effort again on Saturday.
"I'd have to say Alando has week after week put his body on the line and showed what a quality player he is. He has consistently turned it on but we needed a few more to follow."
Mooney said the side had never given up, but too often during the season was chasing games.
"And when you do that you give the ball away and let in more tries. But the guys certainly tried and you can't fault them for that."
The game on Saturday again showed why Otago has been rooted in the bottom reaches of the ladder.
It made too many errors, could not sustain any pressure and coughed up too much ball.
Mooney said Manawatu played well but the Otago players put themselves under pressure.
"We spoke at halftime of keeping the pressure on and not giving away any silly penalties. Then we went out there and gave away a silly penalty. We got it back to 21-17 but we would have been lucky if we had won it."
Mooney felt his side did not kick well and lost the battle in the contact area.
Lock Hoani Matenga was forced off the field in the opening minutes with a nasty ankle injury but it was not broken, although he has badly damaged ligaments.
Although Mooney declined to blame individuals for the loss it is obvious a few of them may have played their last game for Otago.
Imported backs Joe Hill, Josh Tatupu - although he was battling tonsilitis on Saturday - and Chris Small have disappointed, while first five-eighth Chris Noakes has gone backwards over the past couple of years.
Halfback Sean Romans has also missed some sharpness in his game.
Up front, hooker Peter Mirrieless has fallen off the pace while locks Hayden Triggs and Josh Townsend, were out-gunned on Saturday.
Otago rugby's annus horribilis
Record: Played 13, won 2, lost 11
Points for: 223 (17 per game)
Points against: 381 (29 per game)
Finished: Bottom of the 14-team ITM Cup
Wooden spoon: First since 1979
