MARIETTA, Ga. – Life University Rugby is proud to welcome former Running Eagle Daemon Torres back to Marietta as the program's new forwards coach.
Torres is no stranger to Life Rugby. As a student-athlete from 2015-20, he helped establish one of the most successful periods in program history, winning three Division 1A National Championships (2016, 2018 and 2019), capturing a Division II Men's Club National Championship in 2017 and earning USA Under-20 All-American honors that same year.
Following graduation, Torres continued his playing career in Major League Rugby, spending three seasons with Rugby ATL and helping the club reach the 2021 MLR Championship Final before joining the Dallas Jackals for the 2024 season.
His transition into coaching has been just as impressive. Torres first assisted with the Life University Rugby program in 2021 before coaching with the Rugby ATL Under-18 Academy from 2022-23. Most recently, he served as player/coach for Atlanta Old White, helping lead the club to back-to-back Division II Men's Club National Championships in 2025 and 2026.
Now, Torres returns to the program where his rugby journey began, bringing with him experience at the collegiate, international age-grade, club and professional levels, along with a deep understanding of the culture and championship standard that define Life Rugby.
"Our forwards will benefit from someone who has competed at the collegiate, international age-grade, club, and professional levels, but even more importantly, they will be coached by someone who genuinely cares about helping young men reach their potential," said Dr. Blake Bradford, Director of Men's Rugby.
"Daemon embodies what we want Life Rugby to represent. He has experienced success at every level of the game, but more importantly, he understands our culture, our standards, and the responsibility of developing young men. Bringing him back to Life is a tremendous addition to our staff and our program."
Returning to the place where his rugby journey began is something Daemon says is both humbling and deeply meaningful.
"I'm grateful and blessed for the opportunity to work with Coach Blake, Coach Benny, and Coach Lucas. Life University has been my home since I moved here alone from Texas in 2015, and I've been an avid supporter of the program since I graduated in 2020.
I'm incredibly excited to be hands-on with the team in this role, and I can't thank my family—and my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—enough for allowing me to pursue my dream of coaching at Life University. It means even more to have the opportunity to help develop young men in the same culture and program that helped develop me.
I can't wait to get started. AHA!"
Torres rejoins the Running Eagles coaching staff ahead of the 2026-27 season, where he will help continue the tradition of developing championship-caliber forwards and young men at Life University.
