Martin (50) and Carvell (48) were named yesterday as coaches for Otago for next season, with former Otago hooker and captain David Latta coming on board, in a role yet to be strictly defined.
Latta himself said yesterday he did not intend to go to all practices and away games, and he admitted there had been plenty of meetings and discussion before he committed to the role.
The reappointment was also labelled yesterday as the easy way out by a board which failed to make a brave decision.
Reid rejected the suggestion that Latta had been brought on board to try and deflect criticism from the reappointment of Martin and Carvell.
"Anyone who knows David Latta would find that suggestion offensive," Reid said.
Otago finished a disappointing 10th this season, Martin's third year in charge of the team.
But despite that, and the job being advertised, the union appointed the same two men yesterday.
Reid said it has been a tough decision to appoint the duo as the calibre of candidates for the job had been exceptional.
It was true a coach lived and died by results, Reid said, and it was a reasonable question to ask why the duo were retained after the team finished 10th this year.
"But in my opinion, the board's opinion, and the appointments committee, these two were the best equipped for the job."
He pointed to their experience, their knowledge of players, and knowledge of professional rugby as key attributes in keeping their jobs.
The appointments committee was made up of Reid, board chairman Ron Palenski, deputy chairman Adrian Read and former Otago coach and All Blacks assistant coach Tony Gilbert.
Reid said an independent member did not have to be included in the committee.
He said Latta had been appointed as a selector, to start with, and had to learn what might be defined as "modern practices" in professional rugby.
The union had not guaranteed Latta the head coaching job in 2010, but just wanted to upskill him in certain areas, and he could do that with Carvell, with Martin overseeing the duo.
Reid said money was not an issue over the appointment.
The job was only for one year, with the Air New Zealand Cup likely to change in 2010, and the structure and playing season of the Super 14 also likely to be revamped.
Martin said he was very happy to be reappointed and he was looking forward to getting involved with Latta.
"It is always a privilege to have a job like this and I am fully aware of the responsibility I have for the province," Martin said.
"It is going to be exciting working with him [Latta], a real icon of Otago rugby."
The trio have yet to sit down and discuss how they would work together, but Martin (50) said he was head coach and the responsibility of the team sat with him.
He declined to discuss last season, saying it had been well traversed, and it was about looking ahead to 2009, and working with players who were more experienced after last season.
Former Otago coach Wayne Graham, who had been critical of the union earlier this year, said he found the appointment disappointing.
He said the board has backed away from making brave decisions.
He would have preferred Latta be head coach, and he could surround himself with people to learn about professional rugby.
"There are plenty of people willing to assist. Would it not have been better to give him a go? Hard decisions needed to be made, not easy decisions. Results are what counts," Graham said.
ORFU resource coach Phil Young was interviewed for the job, and said he was gutted to miss out, but he would continue working to improve the culture and performance of Otago rugby.
Other candidates who missed out were Alhambra-Union coach Mike Moeahu, North Otago coach Mike Mullins, and development coaches Andrew Hunter and Brett McCormack.
