BOULDER, Colo. – USA Rugby has begun the hiring process for a new head coach of the AIG Men’s Junior All-Americans.

Following the departure of previous head coach Billy Millard earlier this year, longtime MJAA and HS All American assistant coach Michael Engelbrecht led the U20s into the World Rugby U20 Trophy qualifier series against Canada, which they lost.

Now the program is, as expected, looking for a new coach. It's unclear whether the program will do anything this summer - it's much more likely that USA Rugby is now taking this opportunity to get on top of the schedule, something that hasn't really happens for some years.

“It has to have more depth than come together and play a game,” said USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville when asked about the program by Goff Rugby Report. "We need a purpose to it rather than a one-off game every year."

The Collegiate All American program has folded scouting for the U20s into the new talent identification plan. With that approach in mind, the program needs a head coach now to set forth a plan, and approach what will work for the team - whether the World Rugby U20 Trophy is what the team should be doing, or whether it should go on tour. Melville said he is thinking that a U21 team makes more sense for some activities. So the Junior All Americans could well be a U21 team that fields a U20 version when needed.

"There's an increasing number of kids not going to college who may not be comfortable in a club environment," said Melville. "We've got to cater to that. I think that U21 is a great opportunity for us and out of that will come a national team."

Melville would like to see a U21 competition of some sort - maybe a regional domestic competition - and then perhaps a touring or playing opportunity for that squad. The U20 Trophy would still be in play, but a U21 team, just short of the Collegiate All Americans, would also have soemthing to do.

The MJAA head coach will report to Alex Magleby, USA Rugby director of performance, in matters related to staffing, scouting, and coaching, as well as the planning and execution of the high performance calendar.

“The under-20 program is of vital importance to the national team pathway,” USA Rugby Coach Development Director Josh Sutcliffe said. “Across the world, it’s a breeding ground for future international players to prove themselves worthy of selection to a senior side. We are looking for someone to take USA Rugby back to the top of the World Rugby U20 Trophy and into the U20 Championship.”

Prospective candidates should have experience coaching elite-level rugby and nurturing the expectations of the elite-level rugby player. Applicants must also hold a USA Rugby Level 200 or higher coaching certification, as well as pass a background check in compliance with the United States Olympic Committee’s <a data-cke-saved-href="http://echo.bluehornet.com/ct/9042785:4165897399:m:1:158553002:791E9E650..." href="http://echo.bluehornet.com/ct/9042785:4165897399:m:1:158553002:791E9E650..." target=">SafeSport program</a>. </span></span></p> <p><span style=" font-size:="" 14px;"="">Applications for the MJAA head coach position will be accepted until June 5, 2015, via JotForm.