University of Utah Rugby | Coaching Staff

Coaching Staff

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HEAD COACH

Adam Griffee

Coach Griffee brings great knowledge and intensity to the program. As an alumni of the University of Utah Rugby, Coach Griffee understands the culture and long history of Utah Rugby. As a player competed in the collegiate national championship game as well as more lengthy playoff runs representing the Utes.

As a Coach, Griffee brings a knowledge of program building after taking another local University from the D1AA ranks to D1A ranked in the top 15.

FORWARDS COACH

Siupeli Fuahala

Coach Peli is a former University of Utah rugby player and alumni. Being a part of the University of Utah rugby team instilled knowledge and passion with its rich history and culture. As a former player, Coach Peli has played for Haggis (Park City) the Utah warriors (2011), Denver Barbarians and for the Fresno Rugby Club.

Coach Peli started volunteering to coach little league rugby which led his pathway to a coaching career.In 2018, along with the help of great coaches and community support he built a local rugby club known as the South Davis Bison Club that included U6-U18 levels. As a head coach he led his South Davis Bisons to two state championships

Coach Peli joins the University of Utah Rugby team as the Forwards/Attack coach

BACKS COACH

Moliki Mulitalo

DEFENSE COACH

WILL FRANTZ

Coach Will is a Ute Rugby Alumni. He has competed in both 7’s and 15’s at the highest levels of colligate rugby.

Will has been a valuable part of our team for the last 2 years working as an assistant head coach focusing on forwards and serving as the 7s coach.

Will has been instrumental in running drills and player development. Will graduated with a degree in kinesiology.

As we have expanded the coaching staff to add more support. Will has taken the role of our defensive coach, assistant 7s coach as well as our Strength and Conditioning Coach.

7s COACH

DON PATI

We are pleased to announce that former Ute and USA Eagle, Don Pati, will be taking over as our head 7s coach. Don was born in Samoa and moved to Utah in high school he excelled in rugby and Joined the Utes in 2009. In 2010 Don was a key part of the Utah team that won the first collegiate 7s National Championship and even scored the game winning try against Cal. Don graduated from the U as the only 4 year All American from the U and continued to chase his dream of playing rugby. In 2017 he got his call to the Eagles 7s team and had a great career.

Don becomes the next in a line of great 7s coaches to help further what has been a very successful program for the University of Utah. Don will bring his incredible knowledge, experience and toughness having played at the highest level.

Raymond Terrell

Assistant Backs Coach

Coach Terrell previously helped coach National Champion Herriman High school. He was an assistant forwards coach and helped with speed and player development.
Coach Terrell will be joining Utah in the same capacity assisting Coach Moeakiola with the forwards and working to improve speed and player athletic development

Mike Lloyd

Developmental Coach

Mike Lloyd is an Utah Rugby Alumni and has helped coach high school rugby through out the years. Coach Lloyd joins the staff to help with new player development. Coach is a Ute through and through and brings that love of the program to the team.

Tevita Kinikini

Program Supervisor

Tevita Kinikini starting working at the University as an Academic Advisor in 2008. In 2020 Ti took over the Scholarship Program Coordinator position at the University. Ti worked closely with the team in 2009- 2015 and was an integral part of helping players get in to school and then finding them the support they needed to be successful. His efforts were vital in the Utes National Championship in 2010.

Sean McKinney

Recruiting Coordinator

Coach McKinney joins us after have a successful career coaching at the high school level at Herriman High school.
Coach McKinney will bring his early development skills to our team to help with player development focusing on new and inexperienced players.
Coach McKinney recently took over recruiting for University of Utah Rugby
FOR RECRUITING INQUIRES: uofurugbyutah@gmail.com