August 5, 2017
Dallas Griffins Add Jon Mills as Player/Coach
Dallas Griffins Release: Kyle Palm
Mike Ford has added to his coaching team in Dallas with the recruitment of Jon Mills as a player/coach from the Premiership’s Sale Sharks. Mills has spent the last 5 years playing at England’s highest level while developing as a coach through the RFU.
A versatile and powerful player, 6’ 5” Mills is comfortable at lock or back row and with over 100 Premiership appearances under his belt, will be a much-needed influence around which Ford is building his new team.
At 33, Mills is in no hurry to hang up the boots and is looking forward to a new challenge, “I’m very excited to be joining the Dallas Griffins for the inaugural Major League Rugby season in 2018. I believe the potential for rugby union in Dallas and the USA is huge and to be a part of it was an opportunity I couldn’t miss.” Alongside his playing duties, Mills will be able to give his new teammates the benefit of his experiences at the highest level of club rugby, taking on coaching duties alongside one of the world’s best. “I’m looking forward to working with Mike on the coaching front and to continue my coaching development whilst still playing rugby at a high level will be invaluable to me.” “
I’m delighted Jon has joined our organization as a player/coach”, Griffins DOR Mike Ford, “His undoubted enthusiasm to get on the coaching ladder and use his vast premiership playing experience makes Jon an ideal colleague to work with”
Jon will spend the next few months ahead of the MLR season as a player/coach with Championship team London Scottish. “We won’t be assembling our new squad until January so we have a little time yet.” Said Griffins CEO Phil Camm, “We have signed a few players and are putting the rest of what’s needed in place ahead of 2018 but there’s no rush so the chance for Jon to work with such a great club like Scottish in the meantime is a fantastic opportunity for him.”
Mills also has international experience having played for Wales at U16, U18, U19 and U21 as well as playing for the prestigious Barbarians RFC. Mills captained London Welsh to the RFU Championship in 2012.
