East Kilbride Pirates on hunt for new head coach as Andrew McGowan steps down

East Kilbride Pirates are on the hunt for a new head coach after Andrew McGowan stepped down from the role.

McGowan guided the town’s American football team back to the top flight in 2022 and kept the team there this season, despite a mixed campaign that saw the Pirates finish well out of contention for the Premier North title in fourth place with three wins and six defeats.

But he has now called time on his two-year stint in the hot-seat due to “workload and other commitments.”

Assistant coach Gordon Wallace will take on the position on an interim basis while the club go through the process of appointing McGowan’s successor in time for the 2024 season.

A statement from Pirates chair Amanda McDonald read: “Following the end of the 2023 season, current Pirates adult contact team Head Coach Andrew McGowan has decided to step away due to workload and other commitments.

“We would like the extend a huge thank you to Andrew for everything he’s done for the Pirates on and off the field during his long time with club – as a player, a coach and a role model.

“As Head Coach he led the team back to the Premier Division and ensured that we remained there in our first full year of competition.

“I know it was a difficult decision to make, and he will be greatly missed.

“We’re pleased that he has kindly offered to support the team through its transition to a new Head Coach – and I very much hope we’ll see him around and involved beyond then too.

“In terms of next steps, Coach Gordon Wallace has been appointed as interim Head Coach with immediate effect.

“As one of this season’s coordinators and Assistant Head Coach, and as someone who is hugely passionate about the success of the team, he’s extremely well placed to lead activity in the