Mike Tolkin is a rugby union coach who served as head coach of the United States national team from 2012 until 2015. He was the head coach for Rugby United New York for the Major League Rugby 2019 Season. He is the current General Manager of Premier Rugby Sevens.
Early life Tolkin grew up in New York. He played rugby at Xavier High School where he graduated in 1985.Catholic New York, Xavier Coach, Already a National Champ, Takes Reins at USA Rugby He went on to play college soccer at St. John's University.New York Times, U.S. Coach Is Going From Sonnets to Scrums
Career Tolkin, a rugby coach since 1986,Xavier HS varsity rugby coach Mike Tolkin named head coach of USA Rugby men's national team was an English teacher at Xavier High School in New York, where he was the coach for the school's senior rugby team. He had an impressive record with the school, coaching them to three National Championships, six National Championship games, 17 National Championship Semifinals, and 20 Regional Championships.Xavier's Coach Michael Tolkin Named USA Eagles Head Coach
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.IRB, Tolkin's history key to USA's future
In 2000, he served as head coach of the New York Athletic Club in the Rugby Super League from 2000-2011. In 12 years, NYAC won three national championships during Tolkin's tenure. Having led 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.We Are Rugby, Coach of the Year
In 2008, Tolkin joined the United States national side as defence coach, which saw him play pivotal part in their 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign. 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. His ability to get the best out of players, which saw him specialize in talent identification and player development serving as a talent recognition selector in 2001 for former USA Head Coach Tom Billups,Rugby Buzz, Mike Tolkin named new Eagles head coach saw Tolkin promoted to Head Coach in 2012, taking over from Irishman Eddie O'Sullivan.Tolkin Named Eagles Coach
U.S. head coach Tolkin was announced as head coach of the United States national rugby team on February 15, 2012. Tolkin set out with the stated aim of qualifying for the 2015 Rugby World Cup as Americas 1, and progressing out of the Pool Stages. Tolkin stated that, at the time of his hiring, he and the USA Rugby Board of Directors agreed the following goals: Create a positive squad culture and attitude among the Eagles, Create an excitement about following the Eagles, Move up in IRB Rankings (ranked 18th at the time), and start to beat higher-ranked teams, Create greater depth in the program, Turn the scrum into a solid attacking platform, Defeat Canada 3/4 times we play them, and Qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup."Tolkin Talks Eagles", Goff Rugby Report, Alex Goff, October 28, 2015.
Tolkin's first game in charge was against Canada in Kingston, Ontario. The United States failed to win this match, losing 28–25, though went on to defeat Georgia a week later.Eagles swoop past Georgia Discipline was a massive issue at the start of Tolkin's tenure, conceding 1 yellow card and 2 red cards in his opening three tests, with the 2 red cards being issued during the USA's 30–10 defeat to Italy in Houston.Azzurri soar over Eagles
In 2013, the United States, along with Canada, joined the IRB Pacific Nations Cup, which would see the two sides compete regularly against Pacific Islanders opposition.USA & Canada join Pacific Nations Cup The U.S. debut in the tournament came on May 25, 2013 against Canada, which saw Canada claim a 16–9 victory.Canada 16 USA 9 Despite this, the Eagles pushed a strong Irish team the following week, losing 15–12.Ian Madigan kicks Ireland to victory USA failed to claim any win during the 2013 PNC, finishing last which just 1 bonus point win. In August 2015, the United States lost on aggregate 40–20 to Canada to fail to qualify for the World Cup as Americas 1. However, in March 2014, Tolkin guided the States to an aggregate score of 59–40 over Uruguay to qualify for the World Cup.Men's Eagles off to England with 32-13 win against Uruguay
On June 21, 2014, Tolkin guided the States to their first victory over Canada since 2009, winning 38–35, which saw the States finish second in the Asia/Pacific 2014 PNC conference. Later that year, in front of a sold out Soldier Field, USA lost 74–6 to the All Blacks, the first test between the nations in America since 1913.All Blacks dish out rugby lesson to USA
Then on September 5, 2015, the States played the Wallabies at the same venue, going down 47–10, though the half time score was 14–10 to Australia.Wallabies comfortable winners after improved performance in second half at Soldier Field
Though the U.S. did qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Tolkin failed to achieve a win in the tournament, losing to Samoa 25–16, Scotland 39–16, Japan 28–18 and South Africa 64–0, which saw the States finished last in their group.
Rugby United New York Following the 2015 World Cup, Tolkin returned to coaching the New York Athletic Club, achieving an undefeated record for the 2016 season. Tolkin was retained as the temporary Head Coach for Rugby United New York (RUNY), New York City's Major League Rugby (MLR) franchise, for the 2018 exhibition season. In August 2018, Tolkin was appointed as the team's permanent Head Coach.Newman, Andrew, "Signed: Mike Tolkin Head Coach: RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK SIGNS HEAD COACH MIKE TOLKIN, MIKE TOLKIN TO COACH RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK IN 2019". Rugby United New York, published August 6, 2018.https://www.rugbyunitedny.com/news/rugby-united-new-york-signs-head-coach-mike-tolkin/. Retrieved March 15, 2021. Tolkin Led RUNY to a successful 2019 season, finishing with eleven wins and five losses. Under Tolkin RUNY made it to the semi-finals where they ultimately fell 22-24 to the San Diego Legion.
Shortly after the 2019 MLR season concluded, it was announced that Tolkin's tenure as Head Coach for RUNY was already over. Despite leading the team to a winning season, Tolkin reportedly struggled to get along with several of the team's top players as well as franchise owner James Kennedy."Mike Tolkin gone from Rugby United New York", Americas Rugby News (August 30, 2019). http://www.americasrugbynews.com/2019/08/30/mike-tolkin-gone-from-rugby-united-new-york/. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
Honors United States Americas Rugby Championship Runners-up: 2013, 2014
Xavier High School East Coast High School Rugby Championship Winners: 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 Runners-up: 1987, 1988, 1991, 1996 National High School Rugby Championship Winners: 1993, 2010 Runners-up: 1997, 2011 NRU Championship (Replaced EC HS Rugby Championship in 2003) Winners: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
New York Athletic Club Rugby Super League Winners: 2005, 2008, 2010 US Div. 1 National Championship Runners-up: 2001
See also United States national rugby union team United States national under-20 rugby union team New York Athletic Club RFC USA Rugby
References