In April of 2026, Taye Daniel-Ayibiowu agreed to become Eastern University's first Director of Men's and Women's Rugby. He is tasked with building Eastern Men's and Women's Rugby.
Daniel-Ayibiowu brings an outstanding resume to the job. A graduate of St. Bonaventure, he built the Men's Rugby program at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y. and recently served as the Director of Rugby and Lead 7's coach at Fordham University in the Bronx while also working as the Academy Program Director at Play Rugby USA in Manhattan.
Under his leadership, the programs at Nazareth and Fordham both thrived. Nazareth reached the quarterfinals of the 2021 NCR D1-AA 15's Tournament and earned invitations in 2021 and 2022 to the NCR Rugby 7's Championship Tournament.
At Fordham, he led the Rams to the NCR Rugby 15's Rhino Bowl Championship in 2023 and took his 7's side to the NCR Rugby 7's Championship Tournament in 2024.
Daniel-Ayibiowu is well-connected in the world of collegiate rugby, and he has worked with Regional and National All-Star teams and with the Old Blue 7's Rugby Football Club in New York City.
