Kelly Brown returns to Glasgow Warriors as assistant coach

Move ‘ticks all the boxes’ for former Scotland back row after ten years at Saracens

Kelly Brown will focus on the contact area in his coaching role at Glasgow. Picture: SNS/SRU

Kelly Brown has returned to Glasgow Warriors as assistant coach a decade after departing the club.

The 38-year-old joins Danny Wilson’s coaching team with immediate effect for the 2020-21 season.

The former back-rower signed for Saracens in 2010 and worked with the club’s academy after hanging up his boots in 2017.

Brown, capped 64 times for Scotland, will focus on the contact area at Glasgow.

“When Danny [Wilson] called, the role ticked so many boxes,” Brown told glasgowwarriors.org.

“It’s a club I’ve got a lot of love for, so I was delighted to accept the offer. I’ve had a fantastic ten years at Saracens, and I’ve learned so much on and off the pitch, and the chance to take up a senior role like this with Glasgow was too good to turn down.

“You take a lot of lessons from your playing career into coaching. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some unbelievable coaches over the years, so you take as many lessons as you can and try to influence your own coaching style.

“There’s a good mix of senior players and younger guys, which is really exciting for me.

“Seeing where we can take those younger players and take the club to in future is something I’m really looking forward to.

“I’ve coached a number of the boys with Scotland over the last few years, so I know there are some really talented players in the mix.

“I also know what makes a really successful environment from my time at Saracens, and I’m excited to see where we can go as a club.”

Head coach Wilson welcomed the appointment, saying: “We’re delighted to welcome a coach of Kelly’s quality as we continue to build towards our return to rugby.

“He’s packed a lot into the three years since he hung up his boots, which shows just how highly regarded he is as a coach.

“He was excellent when I had the chance to work with him as part of the Scotland set-up, and I know he’ll bring a lot to the table.

“He not only possesses the experience and expertise through his playing career, but he’s also very good at communicating what he wants with the players.

“As well as a great coach, he’s also a great person to work with and will be an excellent addition to life at Scotstoun as we move forward.”

Alongside Brown’s appointment, it has been confirmed that tighthead prop and assistant coach Petrus Du Plessis departed the club at the end of July, having accepted another coaching role.

John Dalziel will join Gregor Townsend’s backroom staff as forwards coach in the Scotland national set-up after August’s games against Edinburgh.

Wilson said: “John’s great work with the Warriors has certainly helped earn him this great opportunity.

“Even in the short time we’ve worked together, John’s attention to detail and work ethic around the contact area has been clear for all to see and he has all the attributes to succeed on the international stage.

“It’s a role in which I know he’ll thrive and succeed, and we wish him all the very best for the new challenge.”