Scott Johnson (rugby coach)

Scott Johnson
Date of birth (1962-08-19) 19 August 1962
Place of birth Sydney, Australia
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 79 kg (12 st 6 lb)
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Fly-half, Centre
Professional / senior clubs
Years Club / team Caps (points)
Parramatta Two Blues
Eastwood
Toulon
Provincial/State sides
Years Club / team Caps (points)
NSW Waratahs
correct as of 29 December 2007.
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1973 Australia U21
correct as of 27 November 2014.
Coaching career
Years Club / team
1999
2001
2001
2005
2006
2007
2008–09
2009–12
2012
2012–14
2014		 Penrith
Australia A
NSW Waratahs (Asst. Coach)
Wales (Skills Coach)
Wales (Caretaker)
Australia (Attack Coach)
United States
Ospreys
Scotland (Asst. Coach)
Scotland (Interim Head Coach)
Scotland (Director of Rugby)
correct as of 27 November 2014.

Scott Johnson (born 19 August 1962 in Sydney),[1] is an Australian rugby union coach, who was the interim head coach for Scotland in 2013 and early 2014, and the current Director of Rugby for Scotland Rugby.

Playing career

Playing as a fly-half or a centre, Johnson played for Parramatta Two Blues and Eastwood, and was captain of both the New South Wales Waratahs and Australian Under 21s. Playing initially at fly half and then at centre, he played senior rugby for New South Wales Waratahs.[1] In the 1980s Johnson also played for French club Toulon in the French championship.[2]

Coaching career

Johnson started his coaching career with Penrith in the Sydney First Grade competition, and was named Club Coach of the Year in 1999.[1] Johnson then worked as an assistant coach at New South Wales Waratahs in 2001, as well as an assistant for the Australia A team who defeated the British & Irish Lions in Gosford.[1]

Following an invitation from Graham Henry, Johnson left Australia to work with the then struggling Wales in the Six Nations Championship as Skills Coach. Working briefly under Henry and then for two years under Steve Hansen, Johnson was an integral member of the Welsh coaching staff during the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He remained with Wales when Hansen left in 2004 and was involved with Wales for their 2005 Grand Slam. Following the resignation of Mike Ruddock in 2006, Johnson took over as head coach on a temporary basis,[3] ending his career with Wales in Cardiff after three games: a 31–5 defeat to Ireland in Dublin, an 18–18 draw against Italy in Cardiff, before going down to eventual Champions France 21–16.[4]

In light of family pressures, he accepted an approach from new Wallabies head coach John Connolly to become Australia's attack coach in preparation for the 2007 Rugby World Cup.[1]

Following a disastrous campaign and the reorganisation of the coaching staff, Johnson was released from this role following the 2007 World Cup and the signing of Robbie Deans as the new head coach of Australia. Johnson was linked with a move to the Cardiff Blues as skills coach,[5][6][7] but decided not to accept this offer.[8] Johnson's decision to say no to the Blues led to speculation linking him with the ambitious Ospreys. On 20 March 2008, the BBC reported that Johnson has accepted the head coaching position for the US Eagles national team.[9][10]

In January 2009, Johnson was linked with a move to coach the Ospreys.[11][12] On 29 January, he was confirmed as the Ospreys' new director of coaching. He joined the team after he served a three-month notice period required by his USA contract.[13]

It was announced in December 2011 that Johnson would leave his post with the Ospreys at the end of his three-year contract.[14] In June 2012, he joined Scottish coach Andy Robinson as his assistant coach through the 2012 Scottish tour of Oceania and the 2012 Autumn internationals. Head Coach Andy Robinson resigned his position after their 21–15 defeat to Tonga, which ended in the result of Scott Johnson being announced as head coach for Scotland.[15] On 3 May 2013, Johnson was announced as Director of Rugby for Scotland Rugby, a post which had been vacant since Sir Ian McGeechan resigned in 2005, and would oversee all rugby in Scotland. However, he remained interim head coach for Scotland until a suitable head coach was found for the national side.[16] Under Scott Johnson's leadership, Scotland won two Six Nations games against Italy (one at home and one away), plus a win against Ireland.

On 15 March 2014, Johnson took charge of his final game (Wales V Scotland) making way for Vern Cotter's arrival as head coach.[17]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Scott Johnson joins Wallaby Coaching team". Australian Rugby Union. 24 March 2006. Retrieved 13 September 2009.
  2. ↑ Scotland's lead "Johnson spent a season playing with Toulon in the 1980s"
  3. ↑ Johnson 'did not covet' Wales job BBC Sport
  4. ↑ Johnson agrees to join Wallabies BBC Sport
  5. ↑ Johnson top of Blues wanted list BBC Sport
  6. ↑ Young hopeful of Johnson arrival BBC Sport
  7. ↑ Blues coach role attracts Johnson BBC Sport
  8. ↑ Johnson rules out move to Blues BBC Sport
  9. ↑ Johnson set to take top USA role BBC Sport
  10. ↑ Eagles land Johnson Planet Rugby
  11. ↑ Johnson discussing Ospreys role BBC Sport
  12. ↑ Great Scott’s Taylor-made for Ospreys WalesOnline
  13. ↑ "Ospreys confirm Johnson as coach". BBC Sport. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
  14. ↑ "Johnson leaves Ospreys for Scotland role". RTÉ News. 27 December 2011.
  15. ↑ "Scotland turn to Johnson". ESPN. 20 December 2012.
  16. ↑ Goodlad, Phil (3 May 2013). "Interim head coach Scott Johnson named director of rugby". BBC News.
  17. ↑ "Six Nations: Scotland interim head coach Scott Johnson eyes last game at helm". Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Wales Mike Ruddock		 Wales National Rugby Union Coach
(caretaker)
2006 		Succeeded by
Wales Gareth Jenkins
Preceded by
New Zealand Peter Thorburn		 United States National Rugby Union Coach
2008–09 		Succeeded by
Republic of Ireland Eddie O'Sullivan
Preceded by
England Andy Robinson		 Scotland National Rugby Union Coach
(interim)
2013–14 		Succeeded by
New Zealand Vern Cotter
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