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California Legion confirm coaching staff featuring two ex-Wallabies
By Finn Morton
Former Wallabies Stephen Hoiles and Dave Dennis will help California Legion make history this season, with the new Major League Rugby franchise confirming its coaching staff two months out from round one against Anthem Rugby Carolina.
MLR made a significant announcement in July 2025, announcing a merger between San Diego Legion and Rugby Football Club Los Angeles. The Legion were one of the more popular teams in MLR history, with Ma’a Nonu and Matt Giteau wearing the club’s colours over the years.
The new-look California Legion finalised its 2026 schedule in December, revealing plans to play each of their home matches in a different major city. MLR’s newest franchise will take the field in Orange County, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Franciso and Sacramento.
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Ahead of California Legion’s debut season, the franchise revealed this week that Hoiles would spearhead the management group as the head coach. Hoiles has previous coaching experience in MLR with the LA Giltinis and, most recently, Rugby Football Club Los Angeles.
The Australian international found success as a member of the Giltinis coaching staff in 2021, as the franchise went on to win the MLR Championship. Hoiles stepped up as the Giltinis head coach the following season before returning to Australia, leading Randwick to Shute Shield glory.
Dennis, Dave Clancy and Todd Thornley make up the trio of assistant coaches, while Sebastian Pearson is in charge of strength and conditioning. This group of coaches includes a mix of MLR and collegiate coaching experience, now eager to lead the Legion to a debut title.
“From day one, our ambition has been to build a world-class rugby program that represents California,” Legion CEO Adam Freier said.
“That starts with assembling a coaching and performance group that not only knows how to win in MLR, but knows how to develop players, elevate standards, and connect with our community. This group delivers that.
“This staff blends experience, innovation, and a genuine passion for American rugby.
“It reflects how serious we are about giving players every opportunity to thrive and giving our supporters a team they can be proud of.
“The group brings a unique mix of knowledge across MLR and the collegiate landscape.
“Having Stephen and Dave return brings continuity, and adding a highly respected attack and player-development coach in Dave Clancy, alongside one of the top collegiate coaches in 2025 in Todd Thornley, gives the club a real chance to move quickly while developing the next generation of Californian talent.”
Dennis captained the NSW Waratahs to a Super Rugby title in 2014 before making the move overseas to join the Exeter Chiefs, finding success in European competition. The backrower went on to lead the Giltinis to an MLR Championship as captain in 2021.
San Diego Legion’s Clancy is another significant addition to California’s management group, set to take charge of the backs. Clancy focused on attack with the Chicago Hounds in 2023 and 2024 before joining San Diego last season.
Thornley spent almost a decade with Central Washington University as head coach before joining UCLA as the team assistant coach. With experience in USA Rugby pathways – including national U23 and U19 sides – Thornley boasts an expertise in physical performance.
Thornley will look after the forwards, while Pearson looks over strength and conditioning. Pearson has spent time in MLR and international rugby environments, including a stint with Rugby Canada from 2021 to 2023.
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