GRR: National Teams
Mike Tolkin is now officially not going to be the USA Men's National 15s Team Head Coach now that USA Rugby's Board had selected John Mitchell.
Tolkin, who coached the Eagles from 2012 through the 2015 season. He released a statement today about his contract not being renewed:
CASA GRANDE, Ariz. (USA Rugby Release) – The USA Rugby Boys High School All-Americans, supported by Aircraft Charter Solutions, completed a four-day Winter Camp at the tail end of the 2015 calendar year at Casa Grande Sports Academy.
USA Rugby has hired former All Black Head Coach John Mitchell to coach the USA Men's 15s team.
The Men’s Junior All Americans first winter camp wrapped up, but the group - or at least two-thirds of them - will be back for another go in January.
Fifty-two players were at the Casa Grande Academy in Arizona, and in January 15, about 35, including a few who weren’t there this December, will be brought in for the second camp.
The USA Men’s 15s team doesn’t get much of a break between the Rugby World Cup and the new cycle.
That is why, in part, many are anxious to find out who the new Head Coach is. Word is that the coach will be named very, very soon, so that box will be checked off. Then, of course, there will be a new staff to assemble and plans to make.