Gary Gold New USA Rugby Eagles Coach
Doug Coil
USA Rugby announced the selection of Worcester Warriors Director of Rugby, Gary Gold, as the head coach of the Men’s Eagles. Gold has almost 20 years of coaching and rugby leadership experience.
Dan Payne, USA Rugby CEO said “We are very fortunate to have recruited an individual with Gary’s experience, commitment and values. Myself and our hiring panel were more than just impressed with his rugby history. We saw a sincerity and skill set in Gary that fits perfectly with how we want this position to contribute toward the growth of rugby in America. Developing players, coaches and contributing toward grassroots growth were all areas that enthused Gary when we described the expectations of this role. We’re very happy with the result.”
Gold has serves as Worcester Warriors Director of Rugby since January 2016. He will assume the Eagles coaching duties upon the conclusion of the 2017/2018 Premiership Rugby season. He will also will help the Warriors identify a successor.
Warriors Chairman Bill Bolsover said: “We are naturally disappointed that Gary will be leaving the Club at the end of the season but we fully understand his desire to coach at an international level.”
Gold added: “I would like to thank Bill and the Board for understanding my decision to accept the opportunity to coach at international level. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Sixways and my focus will remain on Warriors until the end of the season, where I hope to leave the Club in a strong place to ensure it can be successful in the long-term.”
The hiring and review committee included USA Rugby High Performance General Manager Alex Magleby, former Men’s Eagle and current Saracen Chris Wyles, along with Dave Hodges, General Manager of the Men’s 15s National Team.
Hodges said “This is an exciting time for rugby in America. It was important that we took our time in the process of hiring the Men’s National Team Head Coach and arrive at the best possible candidate. We believe that in Gary Gold, we have a coach who brings the highest level of international and professional coaching experience to the Men’s National Team program.”
Gold commented to USA Rugby that, “I’m very thankful for the opportunity to move to Colorado and contribute toward growing and developing the game of rugby in America. There’s a lot of hard work to be done with some tremendous potential. Hard work, combined with the upside potential is what excites me about this position.”
“It has been made clearly obvious to me from numerous individuals within the organization that this position isn’t just about continuing the development of the Men’s National Team, although that is obviously a key focal point.” Continued Gold, “Equally important is the attention toward the development of coaches, being an ambassador for growth of the game in America and contributing toward the strong grassroots initiatives the union is putting forth. Everyone must understand that all of these aspects lead us toward the continued development and achievements of the Men’s National team.”
Gold has had a long association with Premiership Rugby. He was the interim Director of Rugby with the Newcastle Falcons and with London Irish, he initiated the London Irish Academy.
Gold also has worked with the Springboks. He was a Technical Analyst in 2004 and in 2008 through 2011 was the Assistant Coach.
