Gary Gold

Gary is the current USA men’s XVs head coach. Starting his professional coaching career as forwards coach of London Irish in 2001, under newly appointed Brendan Venter, Gary became head coach in 2003. In 2004 Gary became head coach of Western Province before becoming Springbok assistant coach in 2008, which included helping the Springboks defeat all of the Tier 1 nations at least once; including three victories against the All Blacks during the 2009 Tri Nations Series and assisting the side during the British and Irish Lions tour of 2009, which saw the Boks secure a 2–1 series victory later in the year taking the side to Number 1 in the world. In January 2012, Gary took over at Newcastle Falcons before starting as head coach of Bath. In 2013 Gary was elevated to Director of Rugby, but then departed Bath despite a strong start to the season. In 2014 Gary was named head coach of South African Super Rugby side the Sharks just three weeks before the Sharks' opening game of the 2015 season and left in 2016 to take over as the Director of Rugby of Worcester Warriors in late January 2017 helping the side stay afloat in the Premiership that season.  Gary started the 2017–18 season and was granted an early release from Worcester Warriors so he could commit earlier to his new appointment as Head Coach of USA Rugby. The Eagles became the first team to win all five matches in the Championship and retained the Championship. Gary also became the first head coach of the Americas to lead the Eagles to a win all their games during a June test window and won the Americas Championship Cup in consecutive years in 2018.

A very detailed honest open interview and with lots of reflection.

Topics discussed: A detailed focus on Gary’s background and coaching history; his influences; lessons learned; what is coaching?; understanding the environment and group dynamics; his view on developing character; discussing the development of culture and environment within his teams; his adapting and ever changing philosophy and values due to overcoming career challenges adversity; where USA Rugby is right now and the future; rugby pathway and leagues in the USA; opinion on the laws of the game; and future goals.