USA Eagles Sevens head coach Alex Magleby has announced he will be stepping down from his role with the Eagles when his contract expires after the Rugby World Cup in Moscow this June.
Magleby began coaching the Eagles in March of 2012 and recently led the squad to three consecutive Plate Final appearances and two Plate Final victories in the most recent Sevens World Series. With the close of the 2013 season and the completion of a World Cup cycle, Magleby found it a fitting time to part ways with the program.
“Timing is much of life, and as we have tried to teach the players, there is a time and a place for most things. The hard part is figuring out where those moments are and will be. My contract ends following the Rugby World Cup in Moscow, and with the subsequent start of the 3-year cycle into the Rio Olympics, now is the right time for transition,” said Magleby.
"There is a collection of quality men training hard every day at the OTC that have made great strides over the last year. The culture and leadership that they have been developing will help the team reach new heights in the coming cycle. I will very much miss working with the guys on a daily basis and will miss being a part of their humor, character, and continued growth."
USA Rugby CEO and President of Rugby Operations Nigel Melville is saddened to see Magleby go, but understands the personal choice his head coach has made.
“I am personally and professionally disappointed that Alex has made the decision to step down as Head Coach of the Men's Eagles Sevens team following the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow. Alex has made great strides with the squad during the last 12 months and we will be sorry to see him go. I know this has been a very tough decision for Alex and wish him every success in the future.”
USA Rugby will now commence the search for a replacement coach and will be posting the position on usarugby.org in the coming hours.
Magleby’s decision comes at a time when the team has recently seen much success and is planning to build on that progress heading into 2016 Olympic Games preparation. USA Rugby and the team’s staff will remain dedicated to the continued improvement of the team and the Sevens program.
“I want to thank Nigel Melville for helping me grow as a coach over the last five years via the Collegiate All-Americans and most recently with the Eagle Sevens. He, along with the USA Rugby Board, and the USOC had faith in me to help build foundations this year for Olympic success in the coming years. I’ve also had great mentors in Nigel and John Crawley of the USOC. With their continued guidance and that of my staff members Andy Katoa, Brian Green, Paul Goulding, and Ryan Gallop, the Eagles will be massively successful in the coming season,” said Magleby.
Source : http://www.rugbyrugby.com/news/by_country/u_s/7011337/magleby_to_step_down_after_sevens_world_cup