A coaching change two weeks before the start of a season is only preferable to a coaching change one week (day/hour/minute…) before the start of a season. Nevertheless, that’s where the Dallas Jackals and Rugby ATL find themselves.
Scott Lawrence, Ruby ATL’s General Manager and Head Coach announced his resignation earlier today. Lawrence led the side since its inaugural season in 2020, with the 2021 season culminating in an Eastern Conference championship followed by a clear defeat to Los Angeles in the Championship Final. While a statement has yet to be made by the club as of typing, the understanding is Lawrence had significant disagreements with the new ownership group that took over last year.
Dallas and Michael Hodge announced that they have mutually parted ways. Hodge had yet to arrive in Dallas after travel complications due to the ongoing pandemic. Hodge had been coaching remotely, but the understanding was he was unlikely to be able to arrive before June. As such, the team decided it had to move on. This is the second coach the team has lost prior to ever playing a game after Alan Clarke was lent, and eventually traded, to Seattle during last season.
Both moves come after Nate Osborne was surprising relieved of his coaching duties over the NOLA Gold at the end of 2021.
RugbyFootballTalk 