Coaching Staff
All coaches are volunteers
Coach & Founder
Alan Mitchell
-
Coached Irish Rugby Football Union (2011-17), USA Rugby (2018-present) and Charlotte Cardinals (2021-present)
-
Married to Debbie, Father of Finlay , Cameron and Vanessa
-
USA Rugby L1 coaching certification includes concussion management, child safety, misconduct awareness and all necessary background checks
-
USA Rugby L1 referee certification
Coach & Youth Development
Dan McLaughlin
-
USA Rugby L1 Coach and Charlotte Cardinals Coach (2021-present)
-
Married to Jill, Father of Aiden
-
USA & Ireland Supporter!
Coach & Video Analytics
Chris Foshee
-
College rugby at the University of Alabama, Jax State, GRU All-Stars and USA Rugby South.
-
Selected to Charlotte Barbarians All-Decade Team, also served as president and captain
-
Player/forwards coach 10+ yrs and semi-retired player
-
Married to Kate and proud, new father of Emmett
-
USA Rugby L1 coaching certification includes concussion management, child safety, misconduct awareness and all necessary background checks
-
USA Rugby L1 referee certification
Coach & Back Specialist
Dean Kelsey
-
20 years playing experience - multiple positions including scrumhalf, flyhalf, outside center and flanker
-
Captained the Charlotte Barbarians Men’s Club for five years
-
Founding member of Charlotte Catholic’s HS rugby team
-
Partner to Brittany and Father to four daughters – Kyliee, Keaghan, Kamden & Kennedy
Coach – Youth & Forwards Specialist
John Lombardi
-
Over 30 years of playing experience
-
College rugby at SUNY Plattsburgh - Plattsburgh Pioneer Rugby Club
-
Competed in the New York Metropolitan Rugby Union
-
Married to Ginny with three children and 2 grandchildren
-
Giving back for love of the game!
Coach & Forwards Specialist
Jon Schumacher
-
Player/Forward Charlotte Rugby Club (2001-2008), 3x USA Rugby South Selections. Played in Men’s Club Div. 1 National Final Four (2005), 2 seasons Super League Rugby (2007-08).
-
Division 1 College Football player
-
Rugby Coach with Charlotte Cardinals (2021 – Present)
-
Coached Middle School and Pop Warner Football
-
Married to Becca and Father of Jake, Zane, Hannah and Bre
.jpg)
Coach – High School
Chip Murrary
-
Married to Tehmina, Father of Brady and Jordan
-
Former soccer player who is now ‘all in’ on rugby!
-
USA Rugby L1 coaching certification includes concussion management, child safety, misconduct awareness and all necessary background checks
Coach – Forwards Specialist
Pat Rawls
-
Played prop for Clemson Rugby Club
-
Married to Alycia and Father of Lexi and Nate
-
Die Hard Clemson fan – bless him!
Coach – Middle School & Head of Player Conditioning
Rob Navarette
-
USA Rugby L1 Coach
-
Married to Priscilla, Father of 3 boys - Chance, Nico & Sebastian
-
Competitive athlete with Warrior Mindset
Coach - Coach & Backs Specialist
Stu Langley
-
9 years as a professional rugby player in the UK
-
Played on New Zealand Invitational Sevens Team 1995 - Competed in World Sevens Tournament in Wales
-
Played for Taranaki / North Harbour Provincial Colts - U21s Rugby Teams
-
Airline Pilot / Recreational Golfer
-
Married to Kerry and Father to Brock, Maddisyn & Jamie
-
Proud Kiwi!
Assistant Coaches & Guest Coaches
Further support with the Middle School program will come from High School players, qualified as Assistant Coaches.
​
We will also have ‘guest coaches’ from USA Rugby, Charlotte Cardinals Rugby Club and UNCC to help with special skills sessions
​
We welcome any help from enthusiastic parents as we continue to grow rugby in our local area – it takes a village folks!
