Lindenwood University has announced that Men's Rugby Head Coach JD Stephenson has stepped down.

The official reason given is that Stephenson is going to "pursue other opportunities" and in fact that seems to be exactly what is going to happen. Stephenson coached the USA U20 team this past year and there's some reason to believe that his role with USA Rugby will expand come September.

Stephenson has been with the program since it started in 2011, working as a graduate assistant and backs coach, and then taking over the program as Director of Rugby and Head Coach. He marshaled the Lions from DIAA finalists to DIA and a playoff team there. He also coached (with Cameron Wyper) Lindenwood to a USA Rugby National Collegiate 7s Championship in 2015.

"It's always tough to leave something that has been an integral part of your life and that has granted many opportunities and rewarding experiences," said Stephenson said in Lindenwood's announcement.  "I will always be extremely thankful to the university, our Vice President of Student Development Dr. Ryan Guffey, and our Student Life Sports Director Mike Elam for giving me an opportunity as a coach and for supporting the program on and off the field.  I feel that the new opportunity that I have been offered is one in which I can continue to give back and grow the game of rugby within the U.S. in a different scope and set of responsibilities, which is challenging and exciting for me."

Graduate Assistant James Harrison will oversee the team while the search for a new Head Coach progresses.