Arkansas State University's rugby program has announced that Coach NeMani Delaibatiki's contract was not renewed for the 2-15016 season.

This announcement follows ASU's outster from the first round of the Varsity Cup in a loss to Clemson. In the announcement, university officials said they had "decided to go in a different direction with the program."

“We appreciate Mani’s enthusiasm for the game and his work with our team the past year,” said former ASU Head Coach Matt Huckaby, executive director of student wellness. “This was a transitional year as Arkansas State moved into new competitions and we thank Mani for his work toward those goals.”

Huckaby said Delaibtiki will coach the team through the end of the current season, and a search for a new coach begins soon.

The Red Wolves are preparing to compete in the 2015 Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s invitational which they qualified for by winning the Las Vegas Invitational in February. That tournament is held May 30-31 in Chester, Pa.

Delaibatiki, who hails from Hamilton-Waikato, New Zealand, came to Arkansas State in 2013 and served as the head coach and director of rugby for two seasons. At that time, he replaced Huckaby who was the interim head coach. Huckaby coached Arkansas State to a national DI semifinal in 2010 and a national DIA final in 2012. Huckaby stepped down due to work and family commitments, and Alec Houser took over early in 2013, but left later that year. Huckaby stepped in once again until Delaibatiki was found.

“I respect the direction the school wants to take the rugby team,” said Delaibatiki. “I wish Arkansas State University all the best with the direction they want to take the team, and hope it continues its successful run by being a powerhouse in collegiate rugby.”