Will Wheaton Steps Into Director of Rugby Role

After seven years at the helm of Husky Rugby, Will Wheaton is transitioning into the role of Director of Rugby. This transition marks not an end, but an evolution. By moving into a strategic leadership role, he'll continue to help shape the future of the program, applying his experience where it can create the greatest long-term impact.

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This Director position will operate at the program level rather than the field level. New Head Coach Ray Keane will lead day-to-day player development and competitive preparation while Wheaton will focus on the infrastructure that makes sustained success possible. This strategic role will focus on:

Player recruitment: Developing a comprehensive recruiting strategy with outreach to high school clubs, youth programs, and rugby organizations across the region.

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Coach and staff recruitment: Identifying, evaluating, and onboarding coaching and administrative personnel, including the search that brought Ray Keane to UW.

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School outreach: Engages the university to obtain critical resources and satisfy basic needs of the program. Short term objectives are field access and scheduling consistency, tutoring, access to medical and gym resources. Long term objectives relate to UW academic admissions agreements and obtaining permanent rugby facilities.

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Program Operations: In collaboration with Head Coach and student officers, day-to-day operations oversight such as the scheduling of fixtures, travel, budgeting, equipment and team kit.
Community & Alumni Relations: Working with the HRAA on donor cultivation, sponsorship, and annual fund initiatives while maintaining relationships with supporters, attending alumni events, and serving as an ambassador for Husky Rugby beyond the field.

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Sets the Program Vision: Establishes the long-term strategy, goals, competitive standards, and direction for Husky Rugby.

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Wheaton offered his perspective on what this transition means for the program:

“Separating the Director and Head Coach roles reflects the continued growth and maturity of Husky Rugby. Ray brings tremendous coaching experience, leadership, and structure to the Head Coach role, and his background as a World Rugby coach educator will help elevate everyone involved with the program. This new structure allows me to fully embrace the Director of Rugby role and dedicate my focus to other critical areas of the program, including recruitment, outreach, resources, and the long-term growth and sustainability of Husky Rugby.”

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This transition reflects the continued evolution of Husky Rugby and the strength of the community that supports it. By expanding leadership capacity, the program can better serve its student-athletes today while building the resources, relationships, and infrastructure needed for tomorrow. With Ray Keane guiding the team’s competitive development and Will Wheaton driving long-term program growth, Husky Rugby is positioned for its next era of success.

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