Ospreys confirm Johnson appointment
Ospreys star Gavin Henson has worked with Scott Johnson before
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Thursday, 29, Jan 2009 06:43
The Ospreys have confirmed that current USA coach Scott Johnson will be joining them as the new director of coaching.
Johnson has handed in his notice with the US national team and will join the Ospreys at the end of the season. The club also confirmed that Sean Holley will stay on as the head coach and Jonathan Humphreys will continue to be his assistant.
"This has been a long process, one we said we wouldn't rush from the outset," said Ospreys elite performance director Andrew Hore. "Our overriding priority has been about establishing a coaching structure that will benefit not only the Ospreys but the region as a whole.
"We have considered over 20 coaches with the potential to measure up to a list of firm criteria and believe Scott Johnson contains the right mixture of technical ability - particularly on the attacking side of the game - strong character, excellent communication skills, planning, management ability and innovation to help the Ospreys take the next step forward.
"Scott will help ensure that progress is made on and off the field, through the continued development of the existing coaching team to whom the Ospreys are firmly committed and who, we believe, have the ability to go from good to great Welsh coaches in their own right."
Johnson has previous experience of working with Wales after he was part of Mike Ruddock's coaching team during the 2005 Six Nations Grand Slam winning campaign. He also took charge of three internationals after Ruddock was sacked in 2006.
The 46-year-old was also part of the coaching team for his homeland Australia during their 2007 World Cup campaign before going on to become coach of the USA.