"The core will be the same, but it just depends on what's needed the most with assisting [management]," said Caskey.
"It's all good on the coaching side of things — we're growing that and giving people experience."
One factor could be preparing a protege to eventually take over the team manager role from Chris Back, should the long-time manager consider stepping away at some stage.
A Heartland campaign requires a lot of logistical planning and ability to sort out last-minute headaches on the fly, especially with so much interconnected travel involved between planes and buses.
"You know what works in certain parts of the country," said Caskey.
Looking ahead to 2018 as the Meads Cup holders, Wanganui's mandatory Ranfurly Shield challenge with neighbours Taranaki has been accepted, with Caskey eager to get a more accommodating arrangement than the 2017 challenge against Canterbury.
The June 21 Wednesday night game at AMI Stadium was sandwiched in the middle of a tight Premier club rugby campaign, on top of two other midweek fixtures against Hurricanes Development and Manawatu Evergreens to prepare for the challenge.
The burden placed on the top players to front for six tough matches in three weeks was exhausting.
"I'm pretty sure we're going to get it later in the season," said Caskey.
"We're not really interested in doing it in June.
"It's too disruptive and if you're going to have a decent crack at it, you need decent use of your players.
"The year before against Waikato, that showed what we can do."
After another season with several veteran player retirements, most notably Peter Rowe, Ace Malo and Cole Baldwin, Caskey's other goal is to maintain continuity within the Wanganui setup to assist the next batch of young players coming through.
"It can be a little bit daunting, but it can be exciting."
He remains a staunch proponent of talented teenagers staying at least a season in Heartland rugby before joining clubs within a Mitre 10 Cup union – pointing out the locals who have really broken through to the next level all wore a Wanganui jersey first.
This year's Taranaki vs Manawatu Ranfurly Shield game showcased the likes of Stephen Perofeta, All Black Waisake Naholo and Te Rangatira Waitokia – who earned professional contracts after first getting noticed in Heartland – while an import like Blake Hohaia, now with Northland, struggled to make the Taranaki Development squad until he played half a season for Wanganui in 2016.
"The pathway's here. These young guys think they need to be [moving] and they play in an academy for a year or two. They get left out and forgotten about," Caskey said.
Caskey is also interested in taking over the New Zealand Heartland XV job – a role which was held by South Canterbury's Barry Matthews.
Matthews, who was also re-appointed as head coach by his union this week, told the Timaru Herald he is not sure if he will be further involved with the national side at this stage.
"I was contracted for two years, so will just have to see what happens."
Caskey is more than happy to put his hand up.
"If it's up for grabs, I'd definitely be interested in having a shot at it.
"But I'm not sure [about being chosen]. You never know what goes on."
The rivalry between South Canterbury and Wanganui bled over into the national side – most acrimoniously with the ousting of lock Sam Madams from this year's squad after a personality clash with Matthews and his players following their semifinal defeat in Timaru.
Matthews said this week he needed to better manage South Canterbury in finals rugby, because "Wanganui were there for the taking".
Having proven his ability to prepare teams to win the big games, Caskey had a simple retort.
"With what we were able to put on the field, if they couldn't take it [then], when will they take it?"
WRFU chairman Jeff Phillips said the union has been pushing for Caskey's consideration to be the national coach.
"It's been something we've been working to try and get it for the last year or two anyway.
"It's an acknowledgement of what he's done."
Phillips said one barrier in the way is that Caskey, a fulltime builder, has not "ticked the boxes" by attending NZRFU coaching courses.
However, Caskey has proven time and again he does not need text books as he is an intuitive and "hands on" kind of coach, with Phillips agreeing his championship record should speak for itself.
"If everyone does the same course, all you're going to do is bring out ten coaches that think the same way."
The WRFU board had no qualms about continuing Caskey's very successful period.
"Jason has a record which is unsurpassed in Heartland rugby and due to this the board was confident that he could once again assemble another strong team around him, which will put us in good stead for next year," said Phillips.
