AVE MARIA, Fla. — The Ave Maria University athletic department announced Monday that rugby assistant coach Ryan Dolnick was elevated to the position of head coach, effective June 1. Dolnick was brought on as an assistant coach in August of 2024, ahead of the second ever season for Gyrene Rugby.

As an assistant coach, Dolnick helped lead the Gyrenes to their first ever winning season with a record of 5-2, quintupling the number of wins from the inaugural season in 2024. Ave Maria also made it to their first ever championship game, losing to the North Florida Ospreys.

Before coming to Ave Maria, Dolnick coached rugby at a community level during his professional career.

Dolnick will be the second ever head coach for Ave Maria rugby in their third season of varsity competition. Previous head coach Phillip Gay has completed his law degree from the Ave Maria School of Law and will begin his legal career.