Following the stepping down of previous Head Coach Jason Horowitz, the University of Oklahoma rugby program's faculty advisor's office will release the names of a new coaching staff soon.

 

Players at Oklahoma voiced their displeasure over the coaching change Sunday evening in several interviews and emails to Goff Rugby Report, saying that they felt, in the words of club vice president James Kidd, "blindsided" by Horowitz leaving. However, sources say that the move wasn't that much of a surprise. Horowitz, in fact, initially submitted his resignation in mid-November.

 

Horowitz is a vocal coach on the sidelines and that may have had a hand in the OU administration looking to go in a new direction. Refereeing sources say Horowitz was constantly at odds with referees and had been sanctioned several times. That, it seems, is the crux of the issue in Norman.

 

"He's passionate about the game and passionate about the team," said Kidd. 

 

That passion for the game has spilled into confrontation with referees. Horowitz was put on probation with the Texas Rugby Referees Society and also to receive a reprimand from the D1A Disciplinary Committee after a game this October. 

 

The players interviewed by Goff Rugby Report said they wanted input into a new coach, however a new coach appears to be in place, or close to it. A new staff - a head coach plus assistants - is expected to be named this week.