Our Coaches

All Tempe Rugby Club coaches are dedicated volunteers, and many are Tempe alumni who have competed at the highest levels of club rugby and beyond. Every coach is USA Rugby certified and committed to developing young athletes both on and off the pitch while upholding the proud culture and winning tradition of Tempe Rugby Club. Through a combination of experience, passion, and mentorship, our coaches help players build skills, confidence, character, and a lifelong love for the game.


  • A former flanker and lock who played collegiately at Belmont Abbey College, Dan knows the game from the inside out — and loves passing that knowledge on.

    He has served the club in multiple roles, including U8 Assistant Coach, U8 Head Coach, U10 Assistant Coach, and Fundraising Manager. Dan’s philosophy is simple:" “Start ‘em young and let them have fun!” — paired with a bigger goal of helping kids build confidence, teamwork, and lifelong love of rugby.

  • Before stepping into coaching, Sablan played four years with the Principia Thunder Chickens Ruby as a hooker, where he developed his tough, team-first style of play. His playing career highlights include being part of a 2023 Division II National Championship team.

    Today, he’s passionate about teaching young athletes the fundamentals of rugby, building confidence, and helping players grow both on and off the field.

  • Coach Charlie Diaz is the heart behind the growth of girls’ rugby at Tempe Rugby Club. He has taken on the challenge of building both high school and middle school girls’ teams from the ground up, showing up every day with unwavering commitment to his players and their development.

    A longtime member of the Tempe rugby community himself, Charlie previously played for the club and toured internationally, including competing with Tempe side at the Edmonton Ruggerfest.

  • Linda’s journey in the sport spans decades and continents. She discovered rugby after college, competing with Worcester Shamrocks, Beantown Women’s Rugby, and touring internationally with Atlantis 7s.

    Today, she shares her passion by mentoring the next generation and capturing the moments that make rugby special.

  • Coach Sparman has been a driving force behind rugby in Tempe for more than a decade…both on and off the pitch. A proud competitor he played at the collegiate level for Arizona State University.

    His impact has been even greater from 2009 - 2013, he helped shape the culture and competitiveness of Tempe Ruby Club’s High School Boys Team, mentoring young athletes and strengthening the program. Known for his steady leadership, deep knowledge of the sport, and genuine investment in every player, he continues to be a leader whose influence reaches far beyond the scoreboard.

  • Former starting player, multiple state, union, & tourney championship teams (91-02). Known as a hard-working, team-first player and reliable teammate.

    Primarily played inside center (12); later transitioned to wing (14) and has 26+ years as an educator and coach.

  • Coach Randy Gunzer is a longtime rugby player and multi-sport coach known for his toughness, leadership, and team-first mindset. From 1998 to 2016, he played flanker and back row for the Tempe Old Devils, earning a reputation for relentless defense, physical breakdown play, and unwavering commitment to his teammates.

    Coach Gunzer has dedicated years to developing athletes across multiple sports — including football, basketball, soccer.

  • Hal Morgan leads player development with a focus on strong fundamentals, character growth, and long‑term love for the game. Drawing on years of coaching experience, he builds a supportive, high‑energy environment that helps young athletes thrive on and off the field.