The Dallas Jackals have confirmed Allen Clarke as the first Head Coach of the Major League Rugby expansion side. The former Ireland international spent 15 years coaching for Ulster and the IRFU before joining Ospreys in 2017. He also coached Emerging Ireland in 2015.
Clarke was Head Coach of the Guinness Pro 14 side until November 2019 when they opted to change after a slow start to the season. He has since worked as a consultant for Welsh Division 2 club Ystradgynlais.
Hailing from Dungannon in Northern Ireland, Clarke played hooker for Northampton Saints and Ulster first as an amateur and then as a professional. He won 8 caps between 1995 and 1998 before calling an end to his playing career in 2001.
Dallas co-founder Phil Camm has been named General Manager with former Scotland Women’s 7s coach Elaine Vassie named in a dual-role of Assistant GM and Assistant Coach. Both Camm and Vassie were previously involved with the Dallas Griffins, which was the original North Texas team linked to MLR.