Although it has been known for a while, last week Mike Friday was officially confirmed as the USA Sevens head coach. Over the weekend, he held his first official high performance camp in conjunction with his assistant coach Chris Brown.
Already, the structures he has set up will be a major improvement over previous regimes. He will have assistant coach Chris Brown running day-to-day operations at the Olympic Training Center in California. He will also have former head coach Alex Magleby directing player development and selection pathways. Additionally, he has stated that he would like to have an open door policy, where different assistant coaches may come in to provide their own unique expertise.
Friday himself will be coming back and forth between the United States, to also carry out his other post as Director of Rugby at London Scottish. He will be available for high performance camps like the one held last weekend, as well as pre-tour training camps, and of course the tours themselves.
On the actual rugby and selection side, Friday is known as a master of teaching the basics. This will surely improve the results of the side. Additionally, he is known for being very honest about what he expects of his players, and for being honest in explaining his selections. This will be an added improvement surely, as too often under previous coaches, players were left in the dark about where they stood.
However, the obvious improvements that will be made to the sevens side will not be the only thing that Mike Friday will bring to the United States. Friday’s role as Director of Rugby at London Scottish will eventually play a pivotal role in getting American fifteens players professional experience overseas.
London Scottish FC is a club that is not entirely unfamiliar to American players. Prop Eric Fry recently played for the club, and lock Tai Tuisamoa recently signed a contract to go to London. Having Mike Friday as the head of the club will hopefully bring American players over to either: Play, or train with the club. This will be of benefit to all players who could be hoping to potentially go over, especially some of the younger players.
Additionally, Mike Friday is very well connected across English rugby, which should provide opportunities for players not just at London Scottish. Other clubs that have American players include, Newcastle Falcons, Saracens, Northampton Saints, and Leicester Tigers. However, Friday will have to work those connections delicately, as this year on the World Series, IRB Regulation 9 comes into effect, where clubs must make their players available for the sevens national team.
If everything works to plan, Mike Friday could potentially be the single most important hiring in American rugby history, rivaled only by Nigel Melville as CEO. The sevens national team will benefit from better performance structures, and clearer expectations from their head coach. The grouping of Friday, Chris Brown, and Alex Magleby each handling separate, but equally important duties, will allow this to happen. The fifteens national team will also benefit, as more players will hopefully be brought overseas to play professionally, due to Friday’s position as Director of Rugby at London Scottish.
It is an exciting time yet again for the American national teams. If all plays out well, it will be a good year to be an American rugby supporter.
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