Search narrows for next Men's Eagles Head Coach
LAFAYETTE, Colo. – The search for the Men’s Eagles head coach has reached the next phase, with a shortlist of candidates expected to be finalized in the next couple of weeks.
Eagles General Manager Dave Hodges, former Men’s Eagles Sevens coach and current National Teams and Performance General Manager Alex Magleby, and retired Eagle Chris Wyles make up the review team for the hiring process, all the while keeping CEO Dan Payne abreast with updates. The trio has sifted through an extensive set of applications for the lead position of the team that holds the Americas 1 spot at Rugby World Cup 2019, for which applications are now no longer being accepted.
More than 100 athletes have represented the U.S. in senior international competition during the two most recent head coaches as the National Team has accumulated a 19-29-2 record in five years. In addition to the responsibilities with the Eagles, the head coach is also being charged with assisting the mentoring and development of coaching skills and techniques for coaches throughout the country, liaising with academies and coaches to improve the standard of rugby in the United States, and serve as an ambassador for USA Rugby and its affiliates, among other duties.
“We’re extremely impressed with the shortlist of candidates we’re currently interviewing, and are confident that the new head coach will not only immerse himself in the Men’s National Team, but the American rugby community as a whole,” Hodges said of the search.
The prospective head coach will be working with Hodges in aspects related to program budget and resources, communication, logistics and, alongside Magleby, in the identification and development of players within the High Performance Pathway throughout his or her tenure. As a former Eagle that has participated in 54 tests under five head coaches, including three Rugby World Cup appearances, Wyles can provide extra comprehension of the role for candidates. The three are working to conduct interviews and reach a final decision well before the USA Selects assemble for the second annual Americas Pacific Challenge.
No further updates on the hiring process will be provided prior to the announcement of a head coach.
