Mike Tolkin

Mike Tolkin
School Xavier
University St. John's
Occupation(s) Rugby union coach
Rugby union career
Coaching career
Years Club / team
2000-2012
1987-2012
2012-		 NYAC
Xavier HS
United States
Rugby union career

Mike Tolkin is a rugby union coach, and has been Head Coach of the United States national rugby union team since February 2012.

National team coaching

Tolkin has been involved coaching the U.S. men's national team long before his selection as Head Coach. Tolkin was defensive coach for the United States for the three years culminating with the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[1] The Eagles played well defensively during the 2011 RWC, limiting Tier 1 countries Ireland and Italy to 22 and 27 points respectively, and holding Russia to only 6 points.[2]

At the age of 23, Tolkin helped establish the U.S. Under-19 team in 1992, and served as the backs coach for that team.[3] Tolkin also has a background in talent identification and player development, having served as a talent recognition selector in 2001 for former USA Head Coach Tom Billups.[4]

Club and school coaching

Tolkin served as coach of the New York Athletic Club in the Rugby Super League from 2000-2011. The NYAC won three national championships (2005, 2008, 2010) during Tolkin's tenure.[5] Leading the NYAC to the national championship (along with leading Xavier to a national championship and his role as defensive coach for the USA Eagles) resulted in Mike Tolkin winning the 2010 Coach of the Year award by We Are Rugby magazine and by RugbyMag.[6]

Tolkin has coached Xavier High School in New York since 1987.[7] Under Tolkin, Xavier has played in 20 regional championships, 17 national semifinals, six championship games, and has won three national titles.[8] The popularity of Xavier's rugby program has increased under Tolkin's leadership, with the school fielding four teams with 140 students involved.[9] During his tenure at Xavier, Tolkin also taught English for more than 20 years.[10]

Youth

Tolkin grew up in New York. He played rugby at Xavier High School where he graduated in 1985.[11] He went on to play college soccer at St. John's University.[12] Tolkin has coached rugby since 1986.[13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rugby Buzz, Mike Tolkin named new Eagles head coach, Feb. 16, 2012, http://www.rugbybuzz.com/?p=776
  2. ↑ 2011 Rugby World Cup
  3. ↑ IRB, Tolkin's history key to USA's future, May 9, 2012, http://www.irb.com/jwrt/news/newsid=2062091.html#tolkins+history+usas+future
  4. ↑ Rugby Buzz, Mike Tolkin named new Eagles head coach, Feb. 16, 2012, http://www.rugbybuzz.com/?p=776
  5. ↑ Rugby Buzz, Mike Tolkin named new Eagles head coach, Feb. 16, 2012, http://www.rugbybuzz.com/?p=776
  6. ↑ We Are Rugby, Coach of the Year, Dec. 31, 2010, http://www.wearerugby.com/news/articles/coach-year
  7. ↑ New York Post, Xavier's Tolkin named U.S. national rugby coach, Feb. 21, 2012, http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/high_school/more_sports/xavier_tolkin_named_national_rugby_njV1s3uxUlPccz9X80KfqL
  8. ↑ New York Daily News, Xavier's Tolkin named USA rugby coach, Feb. 16, 2012, http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-02-16/news/31069175_1_rugby-coach-head-coach-mike-tolkin
  9. ↑ New York Post, Xavier's Tolkin named U.S. national rugby coach, Feb. 21, 2012, http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/high_school/more_sports/xavier_tolkin_named_national_rugby_njV1s3uxUlPccz9X80KfqL
  10. ↑ New York Times, U.S. Coach Is Going From Sonnets to Scrums, March 22, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/sports/new-us-rugby-coach-is-a-teacher-first.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=mike%20tolkin%20rugby&st=cse
  11. ↑ Catholic New York, Xavier Coach, Already a National Champ, Takes Reins at USA Rugby, May 2, 2012, http://www.cny.org/stories/Xavier-Coach-Already-a-National-Champ-Takes-Reins-at-USA-Rugby-,7433
  12. ↑ New York Times, U.S. Coach Is Going From Sonnets to Scrums, March 22, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/sports/new-us-rugby-coach-is-a-teacher-first.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=mike%20tolkin%20rugby&st=cse
  13. ↑ New York Daily News, Xavier's Tolkin named USA rugby coach, Feb. 16, 2012, http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-02-16/news/31069175_1_rugby-coach-head-coach-mike-tolkin
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Republic of Ireland Eddie O'Sullivan		 United States National Rugby Union Coach
2012-present 		Succeeded by
present