The University of Michigan men's team has hired a new Head Coach, Brandon Sparks.

Sparks, who was coaching University of California - Berkeley women's team, and also led the Berkeley All-Blues to the 2013 Women's Club 7s National Championship, replaces Matt Trenary, who has had to step down, but is still working with the program. Originally from Michigan - he was captain of the Traverse City high school team (and a teammate of Eagle hooker Phil Thiel) - Sparks said the decision was an easy one as it meant he is going home.

"I'm a product of the state-based organization - Michigan was one of the first," Sparks told Goff Rugby Report. "So it's pretty cool to go from playing in MYRA as a high school kid, and then Western Michigan, and then a men's team, and then to come back and coach. It's close to a dream job for me."

Sparks moved to California for his day job (which he has now left), and while there coached the Cal Bears women, and also the All Blues in 7s. He said he enjoyed coaching in Berkeley, but the chance to "pursue my passion, in Michigan," as a full-time coach, was too good to pass up.

There's a danger for a coach to be pigeonholed as a women's coach or a 7s coach - Sparks is both of those, and more. He has played in England and on both coasts as well as in the Midwest. He has coached all areas of rugby and says "it's funny to be thought of as a '7s specialist' when I think that's easier to coach than 15s." Sparks said he has been studying film of the Michigan team, and while he hasn't met with the Wolverines yet, he knows many of the players and how they play.

He also has great respect for what Trenary did, and praised the team's performance in the Big Ten (2nd) and the CRC.

"The one thing I noticed about the team was that Matt did a great job in having them play a good team game," said Sparks. "There are inidividual standouts, but they don't just decide to give the ball to one guy and see what happens. I don't think there's going to be a drastic change in the coaching."

"Brandon is a great coach and a great fit for us," added Trenary. "I'm excited to work with him. He will improve our team immensely. Brandon's hiring shows we've past a critical threshold as a program. We are able to weather a coaching transition that could stifle growth elsewhere."

Now there's work to do.

"I've been working around the clock getting the systems down and ready to go," said Sparks. "I am a big believer in using technology and I want to make sure these kids will have the opportunities to get on the same page."

Sparks leaves California next week and will arrive in Ann Arbor in time for pre-season two-a-days.

"We get about ten practices before the season starts," he said. "We don't have a lot of time, but we're be fine."