Posted
October 24, 2024
Author
Rugby Riot
With 100+ Edsmen on the roster, Eagle Rugby is thriving like never before. In the fall, they hit the field for Sevens—fast, electric, and nonstop action. Come spring, they shift gears to the traditional Fifteens. Under Coach Greg Miranda ’05, St. Edward has rocketed from a national ranking of 49th to an impressive 4th in just two years. How did they make such a leap? Guest Writer Ipse, of the Rugby Riot blog, has the scoop.
The following story originally appeared in Rugby Riot.
I’ve got an amazing story for you. Grab a soda pop and a comfy chair while I tell you how the St. Edward High School rugby program went from struggling to winning their first game on the national stage, all within two years.
Here we go.
It's May 23, 2024, and a group of school vans barrels down the freeway en route to St. Edward in Cleveland, Ohio. Inside those vans is a wild scene: boys whoop and holler, high-fives and laughter fill every seat, and an overwhelming sense of youthful joy spills out of the windows into the streets.
One boy bursts into spontaneous song. Another lunges over the seat in front of him to clap a teammate on the back. A third tilts his head back and makes wild-man victory sounds to nobody in particular.
Never mind the sweaty aroma circulating in the air, or the various bruises, split lips, and swollen knees—the telltale signs of a great physical battle. These young men are too busy celebrating to even notice. They have just accomplished something big. In fact, they have just made history: The first St. Edward rugby team to ever win a game at the national tournament.
But if you rewind the clock to just 24 months earlier, these boys wouldn't have believed this moment was possible. They were barely a blip in the national rankings, and their rugby team had dwindled to a third of its former size.
So what happened? What sparked this massive turnaround? Well, let's go back in time to see how it all unfolded.
2021: ROCK BOTTOM
We only had 46 kids in the program...
Greg Miranda ’05
If you’re thinking “whoa that’s not a lot of kids” then you would be correct.
St. Ed's rugby program had been facing challenges for several years. The team struggled to attract new players and foster a competitive culture. They weren't winning games and it felt like the program had hit rock bottom.
Jayden Williams ’24 reflects, “We were playing just for fun on the side. It wasn't very serious.” Conor McGuirk ’24 adds, "There was a disconnect between older and younger players. Older players weren’t hanging out with or helping the younger guys.”
We were barely ranked nationally.
Conor McGuirk ’24
Enter Greg Miranda ’05, a former St. Ed's football and rugby player who joined the program as an assistant coach in 2021. Miranda took on multiple roles, coaching the Freshman and JV teams and overseeing the entire team’s conditioning (read: He made everyone sprint a LOT). Wearing multiple hats gave him a unique perspective on the program's challenges and potential.
While working with the younger players, Miranda quickly noticed the drive and ambition in freshmen like Williams and McGuirk. Their enthusiasm hinted at the untapped potential within the program. More on that in a minute…
When the head coach position opened up for the 2023 season, Miranda initially recommended other candidates. However, when they declined, he stepped into the role, becoming the new Head Coach of Eagle Rugby. Little did anyone know, this unexpected turn of events would be the catalyst for a remarkable transformation.
A MAJOR SHIFT
When word got out that Miranda was the new head honcho, there was some natural uncertainty. “Is he going to be a good head coach? Is he gonna change a bunch of stuff?” Those were the burning questions lighting up group chats all summer long amongst players.
Miranda didn’t keep them waiting for long.
Jayden Williams put it best: “Coach Greg, man, he was ON us. Everything was different when he came out to coach sevens that fall. He held us to a higher standard.”
Miranda wasted no time flipping the script. He pushed the guys hard in training, kept them on their toes during breaks, and zeroed in on building a leadership team he could count on. And it all started with handpicking his coaching squad.
“Leave your ego at the door,” Miranda told his new coaches. His message was crystal clear: it's all about the players, period. But don't think he rushed this process. No sir. Miranda took his time, making sure his coaches clicked not just as a staff, but as friends. He wanted them to set the gold standard for teamwork.
I wanted the players to look at us coaches and think ‘that’s what brotherhood looks like. I want to be like those guys.
Greg Miranda
Conor summed up the new coaching vibe perfectly: “They didn't always act like coaches. They could be casual at times, but then dead serious when they needed to be. They almost felt like older brothers, or uncles.”
AN UNCONVENTIONAL DECISION
Miranda's next significant decision came in selecting 2023 team captains. He turned to Jayden Williams and Conor McGuirk, juniors who had been with the program since their freshman year when Miranda was an assistant coach. Along with senior Seamus Kennedy ’23, Miranda saw in them the potential to guide the team in a new direction.
"I knew them well," Miranda explained. "I knew I could count on these guys to help me change the culture."
This selection was unconventional. Typically, captain roles often went to seniors by default. But Miranda was looking beyond tradition, focusing on leadership qualities regardless of class year. It was a forward-thinking move, considering both the current season and the team's future.
It was also a little risky, and it rattled the seniors.
But Conor and Jayden quickly focused on bringing the whole team together under a common goal: “Now that we are captains, we need to bring everyone together, no matter what anyone else thinks.”
Was it smooth sailing from the get-go? Not quite. Conor admits, “It was shaky at the beginning, but it started working.” The turning point came at the 2023 RuggerFest tournament in North Carolina, where St. Ed's performed exceptionally well, defeating several strong teams and winning the tournament.
Once we won that tourney things got better and we all focused on winning as a team.
Conor McGuirk
Conor also started hosting the entire team at his house after games, which was a stone’s throw from school. “We had everyone there, from freshmen to seniors, just hanging out as brothers.” This helped the boys form an identity off the field in addition to the training they did together on the field.
BRINGING BACK OLD TRADITIONS
Miranda didn't just change the training; he brought back little traditions that had been gathering dust since the 90s when the team first started.
First up, the team crest. This wasn't just any old patch—it was a badge of honor. Every rugby player wore it proudly on their suit coat during the monthly school mass. It was like a secret handshake, a visual "Yeah, I'm part of something cool" that had the other students wondering what these rugby guys were up to.
But wait, there's more. Miranda introduced the Hammer Patch for excellent tackling. You want one of these bad boys? You'd better showcase some textbook tackling that makes opponents think twice about running your way. We're talking perfect form and impeccable timing - the kind of defensive plays that coaches use in highlight reels.
And then there was the crown jewel: the Man of the Match patch. This wasn't about participation; this was about domination. You played like a beast? You got the patch. Simple as that.
These patches were slapped onto the players' gear bags, transforming them into walking testimonials of their rugby prowess. By the end of the season, some of these bags looked like they belonged to decorated war heroes.
These little things Miranda implemented—they weren't so little after all. They built camaraderie, gave the players something to strive for, and turned a team into a brotherhood.
That year ended with a defeat at the state tournament that left everyone wanting more. There was progress; they had stacked several wins, and had moved up the national rankings (into the top 20) for the first time in years. So Conor and Jayden began prepping the team for an even bigger year.
We called guys up and got everyone training over the summer.
Conor McGuirk
2024: MAKING HISTORY
There was an edginess and a determined attitude amongst the team when 2024 rolled around. Coach Miranda and his team had tasted some success in 2023 but felt that they were just touching the surface of what this group was capable of.
As the season reached the midpoint, St. Ed’s had a few dominant wins as well as a few losses that gave them a bead on where they stood as a team: A close loss to the Charlotte Cardinals at RuggerFest, A close loss to Saint Ignatius, and a close game with Gonzaga—the best team in the nation.
We knew that if we could hang with these guys then we could hang with anybody.
Jayden Williams
There were many ups and downs—as is natural for any season of rugby—and it all culminated with a trip to the National High School Rugby tournament in Elkhart, Indiana.
The St. Ed’s boys had been through a lot in the previous 24 months; A dwindling program, a lack of success, a new head coach, junior captains, a cultural renaissance in the locker room, wins, and close losses. But the one singular focus of the entire team on May 23, 2024 was crystal clear: Win a game at nationals for the first time in St. Edward history. “Imagine winning!” Jayden and Conor would remind their teammates. That became their mantra as the date drew nearer.
We wanted it for the guy next to us. Nothing could stop us. We wanted it baaaad.
Jayden Williams
Their first game of the national tournament was against St. Thomas Aquinas, a formidable foe out of Kansas. The boys laced up their cleats, donned their jerseys, and jogged out onto the field for the 10 a.m. kickoff. The whistle blew and the game began.
St. Ed’s was first to score, courtesy of a rumbling run by flanker Owen Shultz ’24 from a penalty tap. That score was in the opening minutes, and it was also the only time St. Ed’s would find the try-zone in the first half. The theme of the first half for St. Ed’s was: several impressive defensive stands, hard hits, and some understandable nerves, evidenced by a few mishandled balls. St. Thomas Aquinas kept them under pressure constantly with a variety of kicks, scrappy runs, and well executed forward play around set pieces. Then, right before the half-time whistle, Aquinas barged into the St. Ed’s try zone for a score.
At half-time, with the score level, Coach Miranda encouraged the boys to stay cool headed and play with confidence.
Whatever he said to them seemed to make a big difference.
The second half began and St. Ed’s found their groove on offense. Conor McGuirk, playing fly-half, showed great poise with the ball in hand, deftly drawing in defenders and putting his supporting runners in great position to break the gain line. Owen Shultz apparently doesn’t obey the laws of gravity, somehow keeping his feet while breaking tackles on multiple occasions. And Jayden Williams galvanized the forward pack with his vocal and physical presence—he’s a big, strong sonuva gun.
McGuirk broke through the Aquinas defense and downed the ball for a try about three minutes into the second half. He leaped up, fist punching the air in celebration. And that was a turning point in the game. St. Ed’s received the next kick, and two phases later McGuirk was flying down the field for a 55 yard score.
Aquinas scored next, keeping the game close. But only a few minutes after that—yep you guessed it—McGuirk sliced down the field for another try, his third of the match. Jayden Williams and Desmond Johnson ’24 both added tries to bring the score to 38-12.
And then, at last, the final whistle blew.
Pandemonium broke out on the sideline. “The boys practically tackled me!” said Coach Miranda.
But then, right in the middle of the celebration, somebody could be heard shouting “Quick, get to the vans! We’re gonna miss graduation!”
Oh that’s right I forgot to mention, the St. Edward’ commencement ceremony was that same day—roughly 3.5 hours away from the sideline they all currently partied on.
We had to sprint straight from the field and onto the vans. We barely made it to graduation in time.
Conor McGuirk
And there you have it, folks. We've come full circle, right back to where we started: A bunch of exuberant young men in a (probably) stinky school van, racing to make graduation on time.
As the miles roll by, the initial frenzy of celebration begins to settle. The hootin' and hollerin' gradually quiets down, the adrenaline ebbs away, and the boys find themselves basking in a new sensation: A warm pride, mingled with deep satisfaction. Now, don't get me wrong. These boys aren't done yet. There's another match waiting for them back in Elkhart the following day, and the state semi-final is looming on the horizon. The work isn't over.
But for this moment, on this particular 3.5-hour ride home, none of that matters.
What matters is what these lads have just proven with their first nationals win: They belong here. They're not just good - they're REALLY good. And they've just etched their names into the history books of St. Edward High School.
Winning that game was the coolest moment of my life. Going back with all my boys in the van, so excited with everyone. And everyone at graduation was congratulating us. I'll never forget it.
Conor McGuirk
This victory, however, was just the beginning of their national tournament journey. St. Edward would go on to finish in 4th place overall, facing tough losses against rugby powerhouses Gonzaga (#1 in the USA) and Herriman (#5 in the USA). While the Cinderella story didn't end with a national championship title, let's put this in perspective: just two years ago, these guys were "barely ranked." Now they're standing toe-to-toe with the best in the nation.
Perhaps most importantly, this experience has left an indelible mark on the hearts of these young men. It's more than just rugby—it's a journey that will shape their lives for years to come, both on and off the field.
The future looks incredibly bright for Eagle Rugby. When I spoke to coach Greg Miranda, he had a contagious energy in his voice: “We are only in our third year of this [turnaround], and the freshmen we started with are now juniors. We're just getting started!”
Remember how their rugby program had shrunk to 46 kids? Well, now it's grown to 100 strong. Safe to say that a culture shift, and a good dose of winning, has worked wonders for recruitment.
So look out everyone! St. Edward Rugby is back. And they still have some things to prove in 2025.
Oh, and I hear that they had twice the amount of Hammer Patches printed for this year.
You’ve been warned.
Photos by Pat Gallagher ’75 and Amanda Elizabeth Photography.
Ranking information is from the Goff Rugby Report.
Established in 1999, St. Edward High School’s rugby program has earned three state championship titles (2012, 2013, 2016) and three Midwest Championships (2012, 2016, 2019). Click here to learn more about Eagle Rugby and how you can get involved.