September 6, 2016
Tommy Duffy Becomes Wheeling Jesuit Rugby Head Coach
Wheeling Jesuit University Release: Chris Myers, Sep. 05, 2016
WHEELING, W.Va. – Watching his first glimpse of the sport 44 years ago upon the campus where the Alma Grace McDonough Center sits, Tommy Duffy returns home as the new Wheeling Jesuit men’s rugby head coach.
After an extensive search, all the Cardinals young D1A rugby program had to do was find their new coach who used to walk across the creek to the Wheeling campus.
Wheeling native Duffy comes home as the newest member of the Wheeling Jesuit athletics department. He moves back northward after he has served as the assistant rugby coach and strength coach at The Citadel for the past two years.
“I had a great situation at The Citadel, but this is my hometown,” said Duffy. “This is one of the top college programs in the country here. I have a lot at stake as my roots run very deep in Wheeling. I want to coach kids playing rugby, get the community around us and have them come watch some matches. I want everyone to see how the sport of rugby is growing across this country.”
While at The Citadel, Duffy helped develop the talent and identify technical playing skills in his players. He also assisted in the planning and reviewing of the Bulldogs’ practice sessions and games. Duffy aided The Citadel team in winning the 2016 SoCon Championship and National Championship qualifier spot.
Duffy takes over a Cardinals program, which has qualified for the D1A Rugby playoffs each of the past two springs and won at least 10 matches each academic year.
He has a short time before his first WJU match at the helm. The Cardinals travel this Sunday, September 11, to Indianapolis for a neutral site match against Lindenwood-Belleville. Duffy will make his home coaching debut the following Saturday, Sept. 17, when WJU hosts St. Bonaventure in a 3 p.m. match.
The new WJU coach is a 1985 Wheeling Central Catholic and a 1992 West Liberty University graduate. Tommy is married to Tracy Ann Duffy and father of Liam Padriag and Mauring Ellis.
