Sam DiFilippo

Sam DiFilippo

Sam DiFilippo enters his third season in charge of the men's rugby program entering the 2026-27 campaign. He became Tech's first rugby coach in program history after being hired in February of 2024 to build the program and lead them through their inaugural season in 2025-26.

In their first full season (2025-26), DiFilippo led Tech to a 1-4 overall record and 0-3 record in BRRC play during the fall 15's portion of the season. The Warriors would then go 8-11-1 overall during the spring 7's season, while making their first ever National Tournament appearance, finishing 27th at the NCR Championships. Two Warriors would be named to the BRRC All-Conference Team and five Warriors would be named NCR Scholastic All-Americans. Two Warriors would make the NCR All-Star Tournament Team, while DiFilippo was selected as one of the coaches.

The 2024-25 year was a building year for the Warriors as the recruitment process began. DiFilippo was able to sign 12 Warriors over his first few months in charge, enabling the team to compete in three 7's tournaments during the spring semester, where Tech would go 2-9-1 overall.

DiFilippo began his rugby playing career in high school, where in 2004, he was a team captain for Bishop Dwenger when they won a state championship. He played competitively around the Midwest in college but ultimately fell in love with coaching.

DiFilippo became a certified coach in 2005 and, since then, has worked to have a significant impact on the rugby community as a coach and an administrator. As president and assistant coach of the Fort Wayne Men’s Club, he marshaled an undefeated season, including a Midwest Championship and a national fifth-place finish in 2017. As a coach for Bishop Dwenger Rugby, he guided the team to win the JV Super League title in 2021 and a Varsity State Runner-Up finish while being ranked among the top teams in the nation.

DiFilippo holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and Theology from Marian University. He also earned his master’s in Sports Management from Indiana State University. He has a Level 300 Coach Certificate and is a Coach Educator for USA Rugby.