Samuel Chaney joins Triton Rugby Staff

Samuel "Sam" Chaney has joined the Triton Rugby coaching staff as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2025-26 season. 

"We are very excited to bring Sam on as our full-time assistant coach. Sam brings a wealth of knowledge and a competitive spirit," said Triton Rugby Head Coach, Brent Nelson. "His background as a front row MLR player will bode very well to develop our "Tight 5" unit and other forwards. Let the Sam Chaney era begin."

Sam, also known as "Rev", comes to Iowa Central with 15 total years of rugby experience. He got his start in rugby at Cedarville University while a freshman in college, before transferring to the University of Arkansas where he played 1 year with the Razorbacks. Sam worked as a high school football coach and pastor in Barton, AR while playing for the Little Rock Rugby Club from 2015-2019, before playing for the MLR club Rugby ATL and 404 Academy from 2019-2021. He played with and coached the Clarksville Headhunters Rugby Club and earned All-Army XVs honors in 2022. Sam has played numerous domestic and international tours with the USA Rugby South Panthers earning experience in international test matches against Colombia and Trinidad.

"I chose coaching because I love this game and I love to see the light bulb go off in an athlete's eyes when the coaching connects with practical application of the skill," said Chaney. "I was blessed to have been able to live out my dream as a player in the MLR, now it's time to help these guys reach their highest potential as well."

Originally from Barton, Arkansas, Sam was in Clarksville, TN where he lived with his wife, Rachel, while stationed at Fort Campbell. He served four years in the storied 101st Airborne (Air Assault) with the 3rd Brigade "Rakkasans" as an Infantryman. Sam is a graduate of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary with a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Education.