Wallabies duo join Major League Rugby club’s coaching staff with ‘unique mix of knowledge’ for 2026 season
The Major League Rugby season kicks off in March and Stephen Hoiles (inset) is the California Legion's new coach.
The California Legion have confirmed that former Australia back-rowers Stephen Hoiles and Dave Dennis will be part of their coaching staff for the 2026 Major League Rugby (MLR) season.
Hoiles has been appointed as the Legion’s new head coach while Dennis will serve as one of his assistants along with Dave Clancy and Todd Thornley with Sebastian Pearson added to the backroom staff to lead all strength, conditioning, and performance.
The California Legion is a merger of the old San Diego Legion and Rugby Football Club Los Angeles (RFCLA) and the new club will participate in the MLR for the first time during the upcoming MLR season.
Ex-Wallabies Hoiles and Dennis were previously part of RFCLA’s coaching staff while Clancy is an ex-San Diego Legion coach with Thornley and Pearson joining the California Legion from collegiate outfits Central Washington and Utah respectively.
‘Ambition to build a world-class rugby programme’
“From day one, our ambition has been to build a world-class rugby programme that represents California,” said California Legion chief executive Adam Freier, who is himself a former Wallabies hooker.
“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.”
Hoiles made 16 appearances for Australia between 2004 and 2008 and represented the Waratahs and Brumbies at Super Rugby level. He is a former Australian Sevens assistant coach and takes charge of the California Legion following a successful period in Los Angeles.
The 44-year-old first entered MLR in 2021 as part of the LA Giltinis’ backroom staff that won the MLR Championship, before being elevated to head coach in 2022.
After returning to Australia to lead Randwick to a Shute Shield title, Hoiles rejoined MLR in 2025 to guide Rugby Football Club Los Angeles to a finals run.
He now brings a clear focus on standards, connection, and attacking clarity as the newly formed California Legion prepares for its inaugural campaign.
Meanwhile, Dennis, who played in 18 Tests for Australia in 2012 and 2013, brings elite playing pedigree and championship leadership as he transitions deeper into coaching.
Dennis made more than 100 appearances for the Waratahs and captained them to a Super Rugby title and completed a European-UK double with the Exeter Chiefs in 2020, before leading the LA Giltinis to an MLR title as captain in 2021.
He joins California Legion with an emphasis on defensive cohesion, collective effort, and forward-led support structures.
With the MLR season getting underway in March, Freier is looking forward to the new campaign and has high expectations of the Legion’s new coaching staff.
Legion staff have ‘a genuine passion for American rugby’
“This staff blends experience, innovation, and a genuine passion for American rugby,” he said.
“It reflects how serious we are about giving players every opportunity to thrive and giving our supporters a team they can be proud of.”
Freier also highlighted the importance of blending professional and collegiate talent pathways.
“The group brings a unique mix of knowledge across MLR and the collegiate landscape,” he added.
“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.”
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