Coach Interview: From Grassroots to National Rankings: The Evolution of Iowa Rugby Under Coach Dailey

For many collegiate sports, success is measured in trophies and rankings. But for Coach Dailey and the University of Iowa Rugby program, the journey has been about much more than the scoreboard—it’s about building a sustainable culture, "giving back to the game," and bridging the gap between eras of alumni.

In a recent interview, Coach Dailey shared his journey from a reluctant 17-year-old recruit to the driving force behind a program that has climbed from unranked to 3rd in the nation.
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A Vision Born from the Sidelines

Coach Dailey’s coaching career didn't start in an office; it started on a practice field where he saw potential being wasted. While playing for the Iowa City men’s club, he noticed the university team standing in circles, lacking direction.

"It’s kind of annoying to me when a bunch of guys just stand in a circle and throw a ball around and not do anything," Dailey remarked. After stepping over to lead a few drills, he was asked to take the helm officially in 2018. At the time, the team hadn't won a 15s match in four years. Under his leadership, they went 4-3 in their first season with just 18 players.

Resilience Through the Pandemic

The program’s growth trajectory was nearly sidelined by COVID-19. After a stellar second year—growing to 45 players and going undefeated in 7s—the pandemic hit the roster hard. However, the rebuilding phase that followed proved the program's strength:

• Rapid Recovery: The team bounced back to a 50-player roster.
• National Ascent: Iowa Rugby climbed from unranked to 16th, then 8th, and reached a #3 national ranking in their division last year.
• Championship Consistency: The team has appeared in the conference championship for two consecutive years.

Raising the Bar: High-Performance Rugby

Coach Dailey is currently focused on "representative rugby," recently taking three Iowa players to Atlanta to compete with the Midwest Barbarians All-Star squad. This higher level of play serves as a pathway for players looking toward professional opportunities or the USA national team.

For the upcoming spring season, the Hawkeyes are "punching up," scheduling a match against Air Force, a D1A powerhouse. "We want to see where we rate first... and maybe make decisions to move up eventually," Dailey said, signaling his ambition to test the team against the best in the country.

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The Power of the Alumni Foundation

One of the most significant shifts in recent years has been the formalization of the Alumni Association and Foundation. For Dailey, this support system is a game-changer.

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"The more that we can allow [the players] to just show up and play and really enjoy the sport, the better. The foundation has been able to really support that idea."

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By handling the administrative "leg work" and subsidizing travel costs, the alumni allow the coaching staff to focus on the game and the players to focus on their studies and their performance.

A Call to Action: Reconnecting the Legacy

With the 60th anniversary of the club in mind, Coach Dailey’s message to the community is clear: reconnect. While the foundation has a database of a few hundred names, thousands have worn the Hawkeye jersey over the decades.

How you can help:

• Bridge the Gap: Help find alumni who aren't currently associated with the foundation.
• Get Involved: Beyond donations, the team needs alumni presence at events and committee participation.
• Support the Growth: Monthly subscriptions and donations help maintain a high-performance environment for the next generation of ruggers.

"I think there’s something there that they can be really proud of," Dailey concluded. As the team prepares for the spring sevens season and high-stakes 15s friendlies, the future of Iowa Rugby has never looked brighter.

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