Life University Athletics

MARIETTA, Ga. — Wednesday afternoon, Director of Men's Rugby, Dr. Blake Bradford announced the hiring of Benny Mateialona as the new Assistant Head Coach for Life University men's rugby. 

Mateialona becomes the first men's rugby assistant Head Coach at Life University after previously serving as the head coach of the inaugural men's rugby program at Adrian College. 

During his time at Adrian, Mateialona led the Bulldogs to an impressive 19-7 season his first season before acquiring another impressive 15-10 record in last year's 2022 season. Prior to his time at Adrian College, the Michigan native was the head coach at Detroit Catholic Central High School from April 2017-2020. While coaching high school, he created strength development programs for his athletes, practice plans, a youth rugby team, and the preseason training schedules. He also oversaw game-day operations, a program budget, team inventory, in-game coaching and organized fundraising events at both Adrian and Detroit Catholic.

In addition to his coaching duties at Detroit Central, Mateialona spent time coaching the Legacy Rugby Academy, helping prepare athletes to advance into international rugby and Major League Rugby (MLR). His chief duties were recruiting/retaining athletes, establishing a competitive schedule, coordinating practice planning, skill development and development of a strength program. He also assisted in organizing clinics.

Returning to his roots, Mateialona spent time coaching Michigan State University's Rugby Club, Alpharetta's High School Rugby Club and Life University's undergraduate rugby team as scrum half "9" coach from 2010-13.

During his playing days, the Montrose, Mich., resident excelled on the field during his undergraduate days as a Running Eagle and at the professional level with the MLR's New England Free Jacks. At Life U. he was a two-year Collegiate All-American and was an Honorable Mention on the Collegiate All-American Tour as a freshman in 2008.

Mateialona also participated in the Junior World Cup Qualifier hosted in Trinidad & Tobago, was a member of the Fresno Men's Rugby Club and made the U-19 Junior World Cup squad. He also played for the Tempe Old Devils Rugby Club (2006-07), USA Men's Selects (2009-11) and Tri-City Barbarians Rugby Football Club (2015-18).

Mateialona is also an experienced clinician having worked at the USA Rugby Boys High School All-American Winter Camp, Nike Rugby Camp at MSU, Nike Rugby Camp at the University of Michigan, Eagle Impact Rugby Academy Tour, USA U18 High School All-American 7's Trials in San Diego, Atavus Rugby Clinics, USA U18 High School All-American Tour in Vancouver and NA4 U-18 High School All-American Camp in Chula Vista, Calif., to name a few.

Director of Men's Rugby, Dr. Blake Bradford shared his excitement on the acquisition of Mateialona, stating, "Finding the right person for this position was no easy feat and there were a lot of quality candidates. Benny checked all the right boxes and is the perfect fit for what we were looking for. He is a respected rugby coach in the collegiate game, and did a phenomenal job in both starting and growing the rugby team at Adrian College. He brings with him strong sense of leadership and a passion for developing collegiate rugby players both on and off the field. I am super excited for Benny to join me on the staff as we start this new chapter in Life U Rugby."

"I am humbled with the opportunity to be a part of Life University's Men Rugby program." said Mateialona. "As an alumni player and student of Life University, I look forward to working alongside Coach Bradford to continue to excel Life University Rugby to the next level and beyond. I am honored to be able to work with such great young men in order to help them succeed on and off the rugby pitch. I look forward to this year's season and helping create an impact throughout both programs." 

Mateialona will work alongside Bradford with both the men's club rugby program and the men's undergraduate rugby program.

Mateialona received a business administration degree from Life University in December 2013, a Level 200 coaching certificate from USA Rugby in January 2015, and a youth coaching certification with the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy in August of 2018.