Pat Lam has paid tribute to John Muldoon following confirmation the Bristol Bears forwards coach will leave the club at the end of the season to return to Ireland and his former club Connacht in the same role.
Muldoon, who made 327 appearances for the Irish province as a fearsome back rower, including playing three seasons under Lam’s management, linked up with his former head coach at Ashton Gate in 2018, first as defence coach.
He has been a trusted ally and confidant of Lam during his time in BS3 having played an influential role in the Bears' evolution over five seasons in the Premiership.
“When I arrived in Connacht in 2013 and began working with Mul as my captain, it was clear to me that he would be an excellent coach when his playing days were over and in years to come with his passion and love for his home province a possible great homegrown head coach for Connacht Rugby,” director of rugby Lam said.
“Originally the plan was to join me at Connacht but after moving to Bristol, I was able to bring him into our coaching team in 2018 for his first coaching role. After five years of experience in the Premiership working and developing players from all over the world, I am so pleased he now returns home as an established forwards coach.
“I know all too well how highly respected and regarded he is in Connacht, and I believe he will continue to grow and learn under head coach Pete Wilkins and he will add real value to the players, staff and supporters of Connacht.
“Mul has made a significant impact during his time with the Bears and we’re grateful to him for his hard work and commitment for the last five years. We wish him and Lorna and their young boys Scottie, Lucas and Robbie all the very best for their next exciting chapter back home in Galway.”
Last week, the Bears were linked with a move for former Newcastle Falcons head coach Dave Walder to become the club’s new attack coach for the 2023/24 campaign but Lam is now searching for Muldoon’s replacement.
Muldoon spent 17 years with Connacht, rising through the ranks to become a club legend and it represents a homecoming for the popular 40-year-old and his family after making his early steps in coaching in Bristol.
“I’m hugely grateful to Pat and the Lansdown family for giving me the opportunity to begin my coaching career. I’ve learned so much during my time with the Bears and have met some incredible people along the way,” Muldoon said.
“We’ve built our family over here and built some strong relationships on and off the field. I’m excited about what the future holds but there’s obviously a tinge of sadness around leaving the Bears. I’m looking forward to signing off my time here with a strong finish to the season.”
