Haydn Thomas Signs New Coaching Contract with Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs coach and former player Haydn Thomas has re-committed to the club, taking on a new role of Attack and Kick Strategy Coach.

Thomas, who has the honour of being one of a small group of players who were a part of both the Chiefs’ Championship and Premiership winning sides, retired from playing in 2017 and immediately took up a role within the Exeter coaching team having coached at the University of Exeter from 2009.

“I started playing for the club in 2003 before retiring in 2017, so I’ve coached since my playing retirement and I’m really excited about the expansion of my role,” Thomas said this week.

“I’m really enjoying working with this new and exciting group of players in a new chapter for Exeter Chiefs.

“To me, Chiefs is a very special club. I’m passionate about developing talent and bringing the best out of every player. We currently have a young and exciting squad who I look forward to helping drive forward in every way I can.

“I’m constantly looking to improve myself as a coach and I take a huge amount of pride in my work. I know there’s always more to learn, and I’d like to think I have a growth mindset – which is key to developing not only myself, but the team and individuals in it as well. I’m just truly excited about what this young group can achieve.”

In a career which also included time spent in the league with Gloucester and Bristol, Thomas ultimately signed off on his Chiefs playing career after 211 appearances and 46 tries.

From the County Ground to Sandy Park, Thomas also represented the Chiefs on an England appearance against the Barbarians in 2013 alongside club-teammate Tom Johnson.

Since 2017, Thomas has been a key figure amongst the Academy players brought into the fold at Exeter Chiefs. A prime example of his impact was his selection to the England U20 coaching staff in the most recent World Rugby U20 Championship campaign – one that England emerged victorious in.

Speaking about retaining his former player in his coaching staff, Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter explained that it was a deal he was delighted to confirm.

“We’re delighted that Haydn has signed a contract extension. He’s becoming a very important and integral part of our coaching team.

“Not only is he a very good coach, very driven but he’s worked within our system for quite a long time now and had great involvement with very successful university teams, successful academy sides and has managed parts of our pathway extremely well.

“More recently he’s had some very important senior coaching roles for us, and has impressed everybody with the work he’s put in. We’re expanding some of his role within the first as well now, so it’s great to see he’s had the recognition from England where they invited him to be involved with the U20s programme.

“He played a key part, with some big responsibilities, within the team that won the World Rugby U20 Championship. So, we’re thrilled he’s chosen to stay here. He’s a guy with a bright future and hopefully he’s one of the key people that we’ll have in the succession plan off the field as well as on the field.”