The Frisco Griffins announced today that former Wales international Kingsley Jones is joining the club as Technical Director.
“His role as Technical Director is very much the same as a Director of Rugby, but less involved with day to day operations like budgets, salaries etc which I will continue to manage,” said Frisco’s Phil Camm. “He will oversee coaching and player development, help with video analysis and recruitment. It also means that any new players or coaches we recruit will have access to him as well, greatly improving their chances to compete at a professional level. His experience with rugby’s transition from amateur to professional is also incredibly valuable as he understands the new challenges that players and staff will face so he will also be helping with some of the development off-field. He’s a smart businessman as well as a world class coach.”
Jones, a former flanker, captained Wales in 1999 and went on to be Head Coach at Sale Sharks (helping them win the English Premiership in 2006), then Director of Rugby before moving on in January this year to pursue other options. He is currently coaching the Russian National team in preparation for the Rugby World Cup but will be on hand to help with the Griffins development as of June. Camm says Jones will split time between the UK and Frisco next season.
“The Griffins is an exciting club and I’m proud to be a part of it. Rugby in the USA has huge potential and the set up in Frisco is very impressive. I had the opportunity to get to know Phil and the other directors last year and when invited to join, the timing was right for me,” said Jones. “I’m looking forward to helping them turn the game professional. I’ll be working with their coaches and players as often as possible, sometimes hands on, sometimes from overseas and will be bringing in some new talent to support their efforts. This is a great opportunity to take American rugby to a new level.”
Camm says the Griffins are moving to D2 next season, and will field a second side in D3 – as long as numbers allow.