London Scottish can confirm that Director of Rugby Mike Friday has agreed to become USA Eagles Sevens head coach and will combine both roles during the 2014/15 season.
The former England Sevens head coach is widely regarded as one of the finest Sevens coaches of his generation and will help aid the Eagles ambitions to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
As head coach of the England Sevens team from 2002 to 2006, Friday won four Hong Kong Sevens and two Dubai Sevens titles. He also represented his country on the circuit as a player.
Friday will be re-united with Chris Brown who was his assistant coach when they guided Kenya to fourth place in the 2013 RWC Sevens tournament.
Brown will again be Friday’s trusted lieutenant who will work out of the USA’s Olympic Training Centre in California with Friday joining for pre-tournament camps throughout the Sevens season.
The Eagles Sevens program will be overseen by former Eagles coach Alex Magleby in his new role as National Development Director of the Men’s Eagles Sevens programme.
Friday said: “I am naturally delighted and excited about the challenge of returning to the IRB World Sevens circuit and starting a new Sevens journey with the USA Eagles.
“The programme will be run much like how I implemented the successful performance cycle programme in the past which will allow me the ability to continue in my role as Director of Rugby at London Scottish.
“I’m fortunate to have both the full support of London Scottish and the USA Eagles and look forward to an exciting season ahead for both club and country.”
London Scottish Chief executive Kenny Baillie said: “Mike is a fantastic Sevens coach and the way our management structure is in place for the new season allows Mike the chance to pursue this opportunity.
“Head coach James Buckland, backs coach Peter Richards and Head of Performance Tim Harper run the day to day rugby operations at London Scottish which has allowed Mike to step-back and concentrate on his Director of Rugby duties.
“He has been instrumental in putting together a really strong first team squad ahead of the new season and will continue to focus on his role at London Scottish whilst also working with the USA Eagles Sevens squad.
“We are pleased for Mike and look forward to seeing him stamp his mark in the IRB Sevens circuit once again.”
