David Smyth (rugby union)
David Smyth is the former head coach for the BYU rugby team and current head coach for the Southern Virginia University rugby team. Smyth played for BYU rugby in the 1980s. Smyth coached the BYU rugby team from 1991–2002, and after taking a break, has been the head coach since 2005.[1] BYU rugby claimed its first national championship in 2009, and Smyth was selected as college coach of the year for the 2008–09 season by American Rugby News.[2]
Smyth is one of the architects of the Varsity Cup Championship that was created in 2012. Smyth participated in forming the Varsity Cup out of a desire to create a flagship competition for college rugby where universities would control the playoff structure.[3] Smyth led BYU rugby to the Varsity Cup title in 2013 and again in 2014, beating Cal both times.
BYU results
[edit]Smyth has led BYU to several successful seasons, with BYU finishing as the top or one of the top teams in the country in post-season tournaments and in national rankings.
| Season | Post-season Tournament |
Tournament Finish |
National Ranking |
Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | National Championship | SF | ||
| 2006 | National Championship | 2nd | ||
| 2007 | National Championship | 2nd | ||
| 2008 | National Championship | 2nd | ||
| 2009 | National Championship | 1st | ||
| 2010 | National Championship | 2nd | ||
| 2011 | Division 1-A | 2nd | 2nd | |
| 2012 | Division 1-A | 1st | 1st | [4] |
| 2013 | Varsity Cup | 1st | 1st | [5] |
| 2014 | Varsity Cup | 1st | 2nd | [6] |
| 2015 | Varsity Cup | 1st | 1st |
References
[edit]- ^ "Rugby week: BYU coach David Smyth brings a winning, fun culture to program", Deseret News, Trent Christiansen, May 1, 2014.
- ^ "BYU Rugby Head Coach David Smyth: Interview of the Week", Bleacher Report, June 11, 2009. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- ^ "New college 15s championship points to business goals", Gainline, July 18, 2012.
- ^ "Final 2012 D1-A College Rankings" Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine, Rugby Today, May 201, 2012.
- ^ "All Divisions College Top 25 May 22, 2013, presented by Selective Service" Archived September 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Rugby Today. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
- ^ "Men's DI College Top 25, May 15, 2014" Archived September 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Rugby Today. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
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