Veteran rugby coach and former Lansdowne player brings more than 25 years of experience and a vision centered on culture, support and free-flowing rugby
NEW YORK — August 2026 — Lansdowne Rugby Football Club New York is proud to announce the appointment of Kevin Morgan as the club’s new head coach, bringing more than 25 years of rugby playing, coaching and player-development experience to Lansdowne.
For Morgan, the opportunity is about more than results. It is a chance to help rebuild a culture, strengthen the bonds that have long defined Lansdowne Rugby and develop a team that plays an exciting, unselfish and free-flowing brand of rugby.
Morgan’s connection to the game stretches back more than a quarter-century. He played openside flanker at Iona College from 1995-99, serving as co-captain from 1997-99 while also taking on player-coaching responsibilities with the loose forwards. His playing career later included White Plains RFC, NYAC and time with Lansdowne. His résumé reflects that long progression from player and captain to coach and player-development specialist.
Most recently, Morgan returned to Iona Rugby as an assistant coach in 2024 before expanding his role into player and skill development in 2026. At Iona, his responsibilities have included working with the back row and loose forwards while also concentrating on developing and training inexperienced players.
Morgan said his return to coaching was driven in large part by a desire to “pay it forward.” Having benefited from strong leadership, teammates and coaches during his own playing career, he sees coaching as an opportunity to give the next generation of players the same kind of experience.
That philosophy will be at the center of what Morgan hopes to build at Lansdowne.
“Rugby is one of the last true team sports,” Morgan said, emphasizing the importance of support — not simply as a principle of play, but as a foundation for a successful club.
Morgan wants Lansdowne to become a place where players buy into something larger than themselves, play for the teammates around them and develop relationships that continue well beyond their playing careers. His goal is to rebuild a close-knit, family-like culture in which players hold one another accountable and genuinely enjoy taking the field together.
“You don’t choose your family, but you do choose your friends,” Morgan said. “And the friends you make playing rugby can be friends for life.”
On the field, Morgan intends for that team-first philosophy to translate into an ambitious style of rugby.
His vision is for Lansdowne to play free-flowing, wide-open rugby, encouraging players across the field to handle the ball, make decisions and develop a complete set of skills. Rather than restricting players to narrowly defined roles, Morgan wants to create an environment in which everyone continues learning, improving and enjoying the game.
The approach reflects his broader emphasis on player development. In addition to his rugby coaching background, Morgan is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and a Certified Functional Strength Coach through Mike Boyle’s CFSC program. His professional experience has included individualized strength and conditioning, movement development and adapting training around players’ physical needs. His NASM Personal Trainer certification is also independently documented in his certification materials.
Morgan has additionally completed extensive rugby-specific education. His résumé lists USA and World Rugby coaching coursework, including Level 1 coursework, assistant referee training, concussion management and first aid, along with more than 20 additional USA/World Rugby certifications. A World Rugby certificate dated July 31, 2024, confirms his completion of the Introduction to Coaching (L1 15s) course.
As he begins his tenure, Morgan also intends to lead from the front. He plans to remain active in training alongside his players, using his background in coaching, strength and conditioning and player development to help individual players improve while building the collective identity of the club.
The objective is clear: build back the culture at Lansdowne.
Morgan believes that process starts with players supporting one another, putting the team first and enjoying the rugby they play. From there, he wants to help restore Lansdowne’s prominence while creating a club environment that players are proud to represent.
With more than 25 years in rugby, Morgan now brings that experience back to a club he once represented as a player — this time charged with leading it forward.
“I’m excited about the journey,” Morgan said. “I want to help these players grow, build that culture and make Lansdowne a family again.”
Fall 2026 Season
Lansdowne Rugby Football Club New York will announce its Fall 2026 schedule shortly.
Supporters can stay up to date throughout the season at lansdownerfcny.com and by following @lansdownerfcny on social media. Lansdowne matches will also be available to follow on YouTube through New Logical Sports.
Players interested in joining Lansdowne for the upcoming season can sign up at lansdownerfcny.com.
About Lansdowne Rugby Football Club New York
Lansdowne Rugby Football Club New York is committed to growing the game of rugby while fostering the competition, camaraderie, friendship and community that have long defined the club. Under Morgan’s leadership, Lansdowne enters its next chapter with a renewed focus on player development, team-first rugby and rebuilding a culture designed to endure on and off the field.