Director
Santiago Cuccarese
After playing competitive rugby growing up in Argentina, Santiago started Tennessee Rugby Academy’s middle school program in 2019 and became the director of Knoxville Youth Rugby in 2022.
He also joined USA Rugby South / Panther Rugby Academy (PRA) National Development Pathway Academy (NDP) as a volunteer in 2021 and became director in 2022.
Santiago coached various Panther youth teams at Tropical 7s, Tampa, FL; UBS 15s, Hendersonville, TN; and NAI 7s, Salt Lake City, UT. He also coached the U15s PRA side that toured the United Kingdom in 2022 (4-0 record).
He managed the PRA U-16s Elite side that won the 2023 National Youth Championship at the National 7s Youth Rugby Championship, in Cleveland, OH, and the U-16s Elite side that obtained the 2023 NAI 7s Plate in Salt Lake City, UT.
He is devoted to promoting rugby and detecting talent at the U-12s, U14s, U16s and U18s level and currently works as PRA database manager and camp director.
He is the proud father of two sons who participate in the Knoxville Youth Rugby Program.
Head Coach (High School)
Joe Carpenter
Coach Joe Carpenter played collegiate rugby at the University of Tennessee Knoxville from 2011-2014 where he captained the team for two years and was the President in 2014 .
He then went on to help the University Of Tennessee Chattanooga Men’s Rugby Club as an assistant forwards coach from 2015-2017.
Coach Carpenter has been coaching in Knoxville since 2018. In 2018 he was an assistant and later became Tennessee Rugby Academy’s head boys coach from 2019-2021. In 2022, He transitioned to become the High School Boys head coach for Knoxville Youth Rugby.
Coach Carpenter looks to continue to grow rugby in the East Tennessee area and expand Knoxville Youth Rugby throughout the Knoxville area.
Head Coach (Middle School/Rookie Rugby)
Gabe Woodson
Gabe Woodson is a Knoxville native and started playing rugby on the Karn’s High School Rugby inaugural team in 2003. He played the remaining three years of HS before continuing his education and playing career at The University of Tennessee from 2006-2011.
One of his fondest college memories was being selected for the team that would represent UTRFC in the 2010 Collegiate Championship Invitational held in Columbus, Ohio. This was the first nationally televised college level rugby which is now better known as The Collegiate Rugby Championship.
He has led the Rookie Rugby (non-contact flag rugby for youth K-5th grade) since 2017. His wife Amanda has been integral to the success of Middle School and Rookie Rugby in East Tennessee.
Assistant Coach (High School)
Anthony Grimm
Coach Anthony started playing rugby in 2004. He was a member of Karns High School Rugby and he is still a proud member of the Knoxville Possums as a reserve forward. He has been an assistant coach for Knoxville Youth Rugby since 2019.
He has three sons who participate in the Knoxville Youth Rugby program. He is an assistant forwards coach for the program.
Assistant Coach (High School)
GW Curtin
Coach Curtin played, coached and refereed in seven countries. Started playing career at Georgia Tech from 2004-2006. Also began coaching the inaugural season for Georgia Tech women’s team. Sat for C3 referee exam and refereed B-side matches around the Southeastern US.
Played in the Northern League of England for Whitehaven RUFC. Captained the University of Kentucky men’s team. Played for Atlanta Old White, ASD Ivrea (Italy), RC Donau (Austria) and Austria All*Stars (unofficial national team, 1 cap vs Hungary), Chicago Lions, Kampala Black Pirates (Uganda), Shenzhen Dragons (China).
Coach Curtin has been with KYR since 2023 and also teaches locally at Farragut High School.
Supporter of Munster Rugby.
Assistant Coach (High School)
Jeremy Potter
Coach Potter is a Knoxville native that has played rugby for years. He found rugby while in high school and fell in love with the game. He has spent all of his time in the back line mostly at 9, 11 and 14. He recently rediscovered his love for rugby after moving back to Knoxville after school. He is a previous member of the Knoxville Possums and looks forward to continue coaching the youth in Knoxville.
His rugby support lies with Ulster.
Assistant Coach (Middle School)
Carly Smith
Coach Carly started playing in 2010 at college. In 2014, she established a high school girls team in Idaho where she led recruiting efforts along with her coaching duties. Played at different skill levels around the USA before coming to Knoxville to play with the Minx. Mostly plays 8, 10, or 12.
Outside of rugby she is a pediatric nurse at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. She and her fiancé enjoy taking care of their three dogs.
Assistant Coach (High School)
Trevor da Silva
Won four division titles playing rugby for Western Oregon University from 2005-2009.
Coached Western Oregon University 2009-2010, Oregon State University 2018-2019, and high school rugby 2014-2022.
Won 2010 division title at WOU.
At OSU, qualified for 2018 regional 7’s at Stanford.
Won two rugby sevens state titles in Oregon. Finished top 3 in state 15’s 5 times.
Between 2014-2022 Coach da Silva sent over 20 kids to play rugby at the collegiate level.