Wheeling, W. Va. - For six seasons, Mike Geibel led the Wheeling University Men's Rugby team, building the program into a National Champion that has won the Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC) National 7's title in back-to-back seasons. On Thursday, the Wheeling University Athletic Department announced that Geibel will return to the Coaching Ranks, being named the 2nd varsity Head Women's Rugby Coach in program history. Geibel is excited to return to the Cardinal sidelines and help continue the winning tradition set forth by the Women's Rugby program.
"I am excited to get back to coaching and rugby, which are two of my passions," said Geibel. "I am grateful to Dr. [Dianna] Vargo and Carrie Hanna for the opportunity to give back to the university through rugby. The goal is the same as when I was the Men's Rugby coach; win a lot but also help guide and mentor these student-athletes to be strong citizens of the world in line with the mission of the university. I look forward to getting back on the sidelines and hitting the ground running."
Over six seasons leading the Wheeling Men's Rugby program, Geibel amassed a record of 148-31-3, leading the Cardinals to numerous postseason and National Championship appearances. Under his watch, the Cardinals won back-to-back CRC National 7's Titles during the 2024 and 2025 seasons and competed at the CRC National 7's in five consecutive seasons. During the 2024 7's season, the Cardinals would go undefeated under Geibel's watch, with the only blemish to their record being a 10-10 tie against Louisville. During the 2025 7's season, Geibel's team would go 17-1-1 during the regular season, and entered the CRC National 7's as the #1 seed from the East. They would end up completing the 5-0 weekend in Boyd, Maryland, and brought home the program's second consecutive national title.
His success also bled over into 15's season, where he helped the Cardinals reach the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) DI National Playoffs over three consecutive seasons, making it to at least the quarterfinal round in each of those three seasons. Their most successful 15's season came in 2024, when the Cardinals would advance to the NCR DI 15's Semifinal match for the first time in program history. During the 2021 season, Geibel would lead the Cardinals to their first bowl game, when they qualified for the NCR Rhino Rugby Bowl against Iowa Central Community College. The Cardinals would defeat the Tritons 29-24 and ended the season as the #6 team in the country.
Along with the team's success on the field, Geibel would help mentor several student athletes who went on to earn National Honors. He has coached three All-American award winners over his tenure, including helping former Cardinal Aaron Juma get drafted in the second round of the Major League Rugby (MLR) Draft by Old Glory DC in 2024. His teams were regularly well recognized at the annual NCR Men's National Shield Challenge, sending 10 or more representatives in three consecutive seasons from 2023 to 2025. In the classroom, Geibel garnered academic success throughout his program, having 14 players earn NCR Scholastic All-American awards during his six-year span.
"Mike Geibel is a proven and exceptional collegiate rugby coach with a student-centered approach," said Wheeling University Athletic Director Carrie Hanna. "He knows Cardinal Athletics and shares Wheeling University's mission, vision, and values to educate students for life, leadership, and service. We are ecstatic to have coach Geibel rejoin our coaching staff and lead our women's rugby program and student-athletes to new heights in the classroom, community, and competitive arenas."
Along with his experience with the Wheeling Men's Rugby program, Geibel also served as the Head Coach for the West Virginia University Women's Rugby Club from 2023 to 2025. During his tenure with the Mountaineers, Geibel helped lead them to the CRC National 7's Tournament during the 2024 season. Prior to his tenure as Wheeling Head Men's Rugby Coach, Geibel led the Eckerd College Women's Rugby for seven seasons, elevating them to the top of the National rankings. He led the team to four-straight Florida Rugby Union Division II Championships, as well as four straight appearances in the Round of 16 at the USA Rugby Championships.
Geibel holds a USA Rugby Level 300/World Rugby Level II Coaching certification and has coached several all-star events throughout his career. He played collegiately at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia, before concluding his career as a tight head prop at Eckerd. Geibel earned a Bachelor's of Arts in International Relations and Global Affairs from Eckerd.
