This past fall was Matt Trenary’s inaugural season as Michigan Rugby’s head coach. As a former player of the UMRFC from 2002-2006, Coach Trenary was a member of 2004-2005 Midwest championship and National Semi-Finalist team. He was also captain his senior year. Coach Trenary has an impressive rugby resume, playing for the Denver Barbarians, the Midwest All Star team, and Grand Rapids RFC, in addition to stints abroad in England and New Zealand and employment with USA Rugby. Matt has previously coached at the University of Colorado and spent some time with the UMRFC after graduating. Michigan Rugby is excited to have Matt lend his knowledge and experience to the club. Learn more about Coach Trenary in the interview below.
How much experience in the sport do you have?
Been around the game for 10 years
What was your position?
Many. Scrumhalf is most recent and favorable.
What’s your favorite UMRFC memory?
It’s hard to pick any one over the others. I’ve been fortunate enough to walk away from games feeling as though the entire club performed pretty close to our absolute best. No one had to say much as everyone had the same feeling. That shared feeling of accomplishment and exhilaration is most memorable. It ties us all together.
What is one of the most memorable moments in your rugby career?
I had a pretty bad eye injury in England and needed some surgeries. I still wanted to go to training so once I was semi-able, I went but stayed out of contact. I was basically using one eye so I was worried about depth perception and my peripheral vision. But it just didn’t matter. You’ve been through the drills enough and caught a ball enough that you just kind of know how things are supposed to go. Everything just kind of flowed and it went great. I felt as if I shouldn’t have been relying on my vision so much before the injury. It was such an empowering and human moment.
What was your favorite memory of this past 2011 season?
Nic Bishar’s try against West Virginia.
Could you describe your coaching philosophy?
That’s a lot to put into one paragraph. Simply put, I think the individual needs to be inspired to perform their best. College athletes have a massive store of emotional energy that can be put to good use. If you get sixty guys channeling that in one direction you’re gonna have a pretty strong current that will move the club along. Mix in some simple, raw, tough, hard work and guys are going to walk away with some good lessons and experiences.
What are some difficulties that you’ve come across in your inaugural season as UMRFC head coach?
Just managing the communication to individuals, the whole club, just the publicity officers, the coaches, the advisory committee, etc. There are a lot of different groups that are doing a lot of good work. Trying to never be the bottleneck is challenging.
Favorite food?
Mrs. Renfro’s habanero salsa
Favorite international team?
Well, international teams you have to root for the US, c’mon. But, if I had to pick some team overseas that I enjoy watching the most it would be Toulouse.
Do you have a favorite player?
Hard to pick just one in the world so I’ll just say any freshman player that works his butt off to learn the game from scratch.
Hobbies (other than rugby)?
Fly fishing and fantasy baseball
Anything else you’d like to say?
I love what I do every day and it wouldn’t be possible without family, friends, and unselfish UMRFC supporters. It is such an honor to be involved in this way.
1 comments
Well Done Trigga!!!!!