Coaching Staff
John Roberts (Head Coach)
A 1990 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications, John Roberts has compiled a successful 25-year career in higher education marketing and communications. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from Columbia College (Columbia, South Carolina) in 2016. A gifted writer, administrator, storyteller and magazine editor, Roberts has won several national awards for his work in higher education marketing and communications. Before he was named AVP at Piedmont University, he worked at Furman University for 22 years, retiring from that institution as Communication Director in 2017. While at Furman, Roberts founded the Furman rugby team in 1998 and developed it into one of the nation’s top small college rugby programs. He compiled a career record of 188-64-1 and guided the Paladins to three national Division III championships, five South championships and two Southern Rugby Conference titles. In 2016, his Paladins were Division II national finalists. Roberts helped raise more than $400,000 for the program while serving as an unpaid volunteer coach throughout his 19-year career. He and his wife, Brandi, live on Hartwell and have four living children. Read more about Coach Roberts.
A 1990 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications, John Roberts has compiled a successful 25-year career in higher education marketing and communications. He also earned a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from Columbia College (Columbia, South Carolina) in 2016. A gifted writer, administrator, storyteller and magazine editor, Roberts has won several national awards for his work in higher education marketing and communications. Before he was named AVP at Piedmont University, he worked at Furman University for 22 years, retiring from that institution as Communication Director in 2017. While at Furman, Roberts founded the Furman rugby team in 1998 and developed it into one of the nation’s top small college rugby programs. He compiled a career record of 188-64-1 and guided the Paladins to three national Division III championships, five South championships and two Southern Rugby Conference titles. In 2016, his Paladins were Division II national finalists. Roberts helped raise more than $400,000 for the program while serving as an unpaid volunteer coach throughout his 19-year career. He and his wife, Brandi, live on Hartwell and have four living children. Read more about Coach Roberts.
Tony Coggiola (Player Development and Strategy)
A graduate of Wofford College where he played football, Tony Coggiola has played international rugby and has taken to the pitch in several states. A widely decorated player, Tony also worked with Coach Roberts at Furman University where he served as coach of the women’s team. A former Green Beret, Tony served as head coach of the Asheville Men’s Club and helped transform the team from mediocrity to one of the best men’s clubs in the nation in their division. Tony lives in Asheville with his wife, Sherrye, and is an entrepreneur and works with the State Department to help developing countries develop sustainable farming practices. The couple have one living daughter and a grandchild.
A graduate of Wofford College where he played football, Tony Coggiola has played international rugby and has taken to the pitch in several states. A widely decorated player, Tony also worked with Coach Roberts at Furman University where he served as coach of the women’s team. A former Green Beret, Tony served as head coach of the Asheville Men’s Club and helped transform the team from mediocrity to one of the best men’s clubs in the nation in their division. Tony lives in Asheville with his wife, Sherrye, and is an entrepreneur and works with the State Department to help developing countries develop sustainable farming practices. The couple have one living daughter and a grandchild.
Jeff Smolka (Developmental and Forwards)
A University of South Carolina graduate, Jeff Smolka wore the garnet and black jersey 1985-89 and has remained connected to the program for more than three decades. He has served as head coach, assistant coach and is a past member of the Carolina Rugby Foundation. For many years, Jeff managed the club blood drive and helped to launch the Carolina Rugby Endowment by establishing the Jeffrey S. Smolka Scholarship program in 2016. Jeff lives with his wife, Margaret in Winnsboro, S.C. and has three grown children. Read more about Coach Smolka.
A University of South Carolina graduate, Jeff Smolka wore the garnet and black jersey 1985-89 and has remained connected to the program for more than three decades. He has served as head coach, assistant coach and is a past member of the Carolina Rugby Foundation. For many years, Jeff managed the club blood drive and helped to launch the Carolina Rugby Endowment by establishing the Jeffrey S. Smolka Scholarship program in 2016. Jeff lives with his wife, Margaret in Winnsboro, S.C. and has three grown children. Read more about Coach Smolka.
Thomas Blair (Backs and Defense)
Tommy Blair started his rugby career playing at Boston College. His love for the game trickled over to playing for the United States All-Army A side for eight years. Throughout the years he coached rugby for multiple teams in Texas, Georgia, and Massachusetts. Due to his service obligation in the U.S. Army, he is constantly on the move. When he's not working as a coach, or as a Command Sergeant Major for Fort Jackson, Tommy enjoys spending time on his boat with his wife Joleen. The couple have three children.
Tommy Blair started his rugby career playing at Boston College. His love for the game trickled over to playing for the United States All-Army A side for eight years. Throughout the years he coached rugby for multiple teams in Texas, Georgia, and Massachusetts. Due to his service obligation in the U.S. Army, he is constantly on the move. When he's not working as a coach, or as a Command Sergeant Major for Fort Jackson, Tommy enjoys spending time on his boat with his wife Joleen. The couple have three children.
Luke Harris (Backs)
Luke Harris is University of South Carolina grad (B.A in History and a Masters of Teaching in Secondary Education). He wore the Gamecock Rugby jersey with pride 2016-2020. During that time, Luke held leadership positions including strength and conditioning officer, recruiting officer, and served as captain. Luke was also the squad's most valuable back and was named to the 2019 SCRC D1AA All-Conference Team. Luke lives in Lexington and is a high school teacher and coach.
Luke Harris is University of South Carolina grad (B.A in History and a Masters of Teaching in Secondary Education). He wore the Gamecock Rugby jersey with pride 2016-2020. During that time, Luke held leadership positions including strength and conditioning officer, recruiting officer, and served as captain. Luke was also the squad's most valuable back and was named to the 2019 SCRC D1AA All-Conference Team. Luke lives in Lexington and is a high school teacher and coach.
Nathaniel Edlefsen (Backs)
A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Nathaniel Edlefsen joined the Wasatch of Murray rugby team when he was 12. After high school, he served on a mission to New York City for two years for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Returning home, Nathaniel attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he played ruby for four years, most them at scrum half. Graduating from BYU in May, 2022, Nathaniel and his wife, Julie, moved to Lexington.
A native of Salt Lake City, Utah, Nathaniel Edlefsen joined the Wasatch of Murray rugby team when he was 12. After high school, he served on a mission to New York City for two years for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Returning home, Nathaniel attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he played ruby for four years, most them at scrum half. Graduating from BYU in May, 2022, Nathaniel and his wife, Julie, moved to Lexington.
Matthew Shoemaker (Backs and Forwards, Developmental)
A Greenville native, Matthew Shoemaker joined the coaching staff in the spring of 2022. He played for the South Greenville Rugby Club from 2015-17. During that time, he logged time as a fly-half, hooker, center and was a member of the 2017 Rugby South Carolina All-Star Team. Matthew played four years at Lander University where he was the 2021 MVP and served as team captain 2017-21.
A Greenville native, Matthew Shoemaker joined the coaching staff in the spring of 2022. He played for the South Greenville Rugby Club from 2015-17. During that time, he logged time as a fly-half, hooker, center and was a member of the 2017 Rugby South Carolina All-Star Team. Matthew played four years at Lander University where he was the 2021 MVP and served as team captain 2017-21.
Alec Giakas (7s coach)
A 2019 graduate of the University of South Carolina Honors College (Baccalaureus Artium et Scientiae), Alec Giakas is currently a fourth year medical student at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia. Alec began his rugby career his freshman year of high school as a founding member of the Archmere Academy Rugby Club in Claymont, DE. Under the guidance of coaches David Niumataiwalu and Andrew Cocco, Alec served as a team captain, leading Archmere to one state 15s title, two state 7s titles, and two national 7s titles throughout his high school career. His senior season, he was selected as a U19 7s All-American.
In the fall of 2016, Giakas joined the University of South Carolina Rugby team as a flanker, becoming the only freshman to earn a permanent spot on the team’s A side. During the 7s season, he was once again the only freshman on UofSC’s A side, helping the team to qualify for the CRC tournament. In the spring of 2018, Alec became a full-time starter, scoring 47 tries as a prop and center on the way to the SCRC title and another CRC birth. After the season, Giakas was named to the All-SCRC rugby team. After completing his undergraduate degree in 2019, he turned down Major League Rugby offers to pursue his medical aspirations. In spring of 2022, he began coaching the UofSC 7s team, helping to guide the team to an SCRC title and national tournament appearances at USA 7s and the CRC.
A 2019 graduate of the University of South Carolina Honors College (Baccalaureus Artium et Scientiae), Alec Giakas is currently a fourth year medical student at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Columbia. Alec began his rugby career his freshman year of high school as a founding member of the Archmere Academy Rugby Club in Claymont, DE. Under the guidance of coaches David Niumataiwalu and Andrew Cocco, Alec served as a team captain, leading Archmere to one state 15s title, two state 7s titles, and two national 7s titles throughout his high school career. His senior season, he was selected as a U19 7s All-American.
In the fall of 2016, Giakas joined the University of South Carolina Rugby team as a flanker, becoming the only freshman to earn a permanent spot on the team’s A side. During the 7s season, he was once again the only freshman on UofSC’s A side, helping the team to qualify for the CRC tournament. In the spring of 2018, Alec became a full-time starter, scoring 47 tries as a prop and center on the way to the SCRC title and another CRC birth. After the season, Giakas was named to the All-SCRC rugby team. After completing his undergraduate degree in 2019, he turned down Major League Rugby offers to pursue his medical aspirations. In spring of 2022, he began coaching the UofSC 7s team, helping to guide the team to an SCRC title and national tournament appearances at USA 7s and the CRC.
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