Paul O’Brian, HS side Head Coach, founded Tigers Rugby Football Club in 2004. Coach O’Brian is a Licensed Physical Therapist, and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Paul is certified as a rugby referee and as a rugby coach by USA Rugby. He was the Junior Varsity Head Coach in 2004 and 2005, and assistant line coach for 2005 and 2002 State Champions Holy Family High School Football Teams. Tigers RFC was presented the 2005, 2006 and 2011 Team Sportsmanship Award, and Paul was voted the 2005 and 2011 Coach of the Year by fellow Rugby Colorado coaches. Paul has played 16 years for four teams: Ashland-Huntington Gangrene (1982-83), Raleigh Vipers RFC (’83-84), Queen City RFC (’85-96), the Texas Legends (’95-97), and Tigers Rugby Alumni (2009-present). He was an ERRFU select side alternate at prop in 1989.
Nick Samaras, HS Side Assistant Head Coach, is a certified USA Rugby Coach who comes to us by way of Creighton University Rugby Football Club and Queen City RFC in Denver. He was an assistant coach for Regis Jesuit RFC from 1995-2000 and a Queen City Backs Coach in 2000. Nick offers Tigers RFC intense and methodical back line play, skill training and lessons in play making from the backline positions.
Mike O’Brian, Men’s Side Head Coach is a a certified as a USA Rugby Referee and a Rugby Coach. He was the 2005 Tigers RFC Captain. Mike was once a soccer mid-fielder for the 2004 State Quarter Finalist Holy Family High School Soccer Team, and at the same time, the kicker for the State Finalist 2004 Holy Family Football Team.
Jim Twiford is certified as a Rugby Coach and as a referee by USA Rugby. He currently serves on the Rugby Colorado Executive Committee. Jim was a scrumhalf at Penn State University. He referees TRY League rugby and looks forward to initiating a video analysis program for Tigers Rugby.
Ben Wright is an exciting addition to our coaching staff in 2011. Originally from London, England, Ben started playing at the age of 6, played through high school and was selected to represent his county and district. A quarter Scottish, Ben played for the Scotland U19 National team, played his club rugby with London Wasps before moving to London Scottish for a pro contract. His professional career lasted about 60 mins into his first pre-season game… late tackle, knee injury, done. Ben now has an aversion to bearded red-headed South Africans… who tackle late! Ben brings our back row play, contact drills, and positional training to another level.
Matt O’Brian was a 2006 Tigers RFC Captain and their Co-MVP. Matt is a former offensive lineman for the 2005 and the 2002 State Champion Holy Family High School Football Teams. He was presented the 2005 Sportsmanship Award by the Tigers Athletic Boosters Club at Holy Family High School. Matt attends Colorado Sate University and has played for the CSU Rams, and now the Tigers Rugby Alumni Side.
Dylan Lewis is a certified USA Rugby Coach who joined Tigers RFC in 2005. Dylan began playing in 1993 as a back for the inaugural Westmont Warriors Rugby Team under the Santa Barbara Grunions, the University of Denver, the Denver Highlanders, and as a forward briefly with Denver Barbarians and currently with Boulder RFC and Tigers Rugby Alumni.
Pat Quinlan a certified USA Rugby Coach who started playing at CU back in 1975. Pat played one season with Seattle Rugby Club in 1977, then Queen City 1980-85, Queen City Old Boys for another ten years off, and Colorado Senior Old Boys since 1995. Pat has traveled to Golden Oldies Festivals in Auckland, Toronto, Perth, Dublin and San Diego, and is going to Edinburgh in 2008. His fondest memory may be playing in Singapore against the Singapore Cricket Club. Paddy noted, “Tough game. Fortunately we had some Kiwi’s with us.”
