According to USAR CEO Nigel Melville, final interviews and appointment of the USAR MNT coach will occur in January 2012. Three months is a creditable period for a search, no doubt. But, aside from Loffreda's leak that an anonymous someone requested he apply for the position, nothing else about who might assume this role has been revealed or reported.
Personally, I don't see the USAR MNT coach for the 2015 RWC cycle as very relevant. The game in the US is in flux. 7s is the "in" code because of it's Olympic connection and more eyes seem focused on Rio 2016, than London 2015. 15s is still relevant, but our downward slide in the 15s rankings will continue if we do not get back into a competition like the now defunct Churchill Cup or Pacific Rim Series. Couple that with the fact that we will not begin to see the fruits of the Play Rugby USA labors until 2019 or 2023 and 15s may take a backseat for a cycle or so.
Additionally, I think we'll begin to see some changes in the collegiate game over the next five years that will affect this cycle. With Cal's withdrawal from D1A, Jack's explanation including a blub about redirection to 7s (something his program has done fleetingly, but with notable success), AND the excitement generated by the inaugural 2011 Collegiate 7s National Championships in College Station, TX, many colleges will begin to run both codes with some having a team of 7s specialists who do not play on the 15s team. Expect the few colleges with varsity sides to lead the way on this march. The expense is low, the risk less, and the initial reward of running separate teams in both codes will be substantial. If you've ever coached a collegiate side, you should be drooling at the possibilities.
The big question in USOC Residency is the one that has not been explored by rugby's 4th estate, nor commented on by USAR - citizenship. USOC has a very clear-cut Citizenship Policy (page 3). The US 7s MNT has a few current players who are NOT US citizens, thus they probably won't get selected for the initial, 2012 slots. Will we see a run on dual-citizenship applications in 2012? Maybe. I think the players with citizenship issues may be losing stride by 2016, thus won't be considered anyway. A couple of them already live in the San Diego area and with the barely adequate stipend given to the residency recipients, they'll likely just make the training sessions on their own without residency. Their jobs will suffice.
I do hope the 15s coach choice is one that will inspire us and keep 15s relevant and vibrant in the wake of the 7s surge. I also hope that the 7s selection committee members will pick the best available, willing, and qualified to award a residency contract. We have a large enough population to fill both codes with great players.