Carrick Pell enjoyed success at Babson and now moves north to Norwich.
Author: GRR Staff
NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Norwich University Director of Athletics, Ed Hockenbury, has announced the hiring of Carrick Pell as the next head coach of the Norwich University men's rugby program.
Pell arrives in Northfield after a highly successful tenure as head coach of the Babson College men's rugby program, where he helped transform the Beavers into one of the top collegiate rugby programs in the country. He succeeds longtime head coach Bob Weggler, who retired after 25 years leading the Cadets and more than four decades of collegiate coaching service.
"We are very excited to have Carrick Pell join us as our Men's Rugby Head Coach," Hockenbury said. "Following the remarkable 25-year career of Bob Weggler is no easy task, but Carrick is a great fit for Norwich, and I am confident he will carry on Coach Weggler's legacy of championship-level rugby and developing young men of character and integrity."
Pell brings more than a decade of head coaching experience, a distinguished playing background, and a leadership approach shaped by military service, athlete development, alumni engagement, and program building. He served as Babson's Men's Rugby's Head Coach since 2012, rebuilding the program into a nationally competitive side that rose from Division 4 to Division 1AA.
During his time at Babson, Pell guided the Beavers to National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) championships in both 15s and 7s in 2023. The Beavers captured the NCR Small College National 7s Championship in the spring before adding the NCR Small College 15s national title later that year, completing one of the most successful seasons in program history.
Babson continued its ascent under Pell, earning multiple New England Rugby Football Union Final Four appearances, developing a nationally competitive 7s program, reaching the 2024 Premier Division semifinals, and finishing as a D1AA top-10 team nationally in 2025.
"With our strong national reputation in rugby, and the support we enjoy from the University and our passionate alumni, we attracted outstanding candidates for the position," Hockenbury said. "Carrick rose to the top with his coaching experience, military background, rugby knowledge, impeccable national reputation, and his values that match ours at Norwich.
"He is a proven leader and winner, who made clear to us his emphasis on academic achievement, recognition of the importance of the Corps of Cadets and ROTC, and his commitment to recruiting talented student-athletes who will contribute to both the positive culture within our rugby program and to the larger campus community."
Pell's impact at Babson extended well beyond championships. He helped rebuild alumni engagement, established recruiting pipelines, strengthened player-led accountability systems, developed corporate partnerships, and expanded the program's infrastructure, including improvements to pitch and locker room facilities. He also helped develop three NCR All-Americans and more than 100 NCR Scholastic All-Americans, while Babson was recognized as Club Sport of the Year in 2015, 2022, and 2024.
"When people ask what it means to have been selected as the Head Men's Rugby Coach at Norwich University, the answer is simple: it is incredibly humbling," Pell said. "I started dreaming about becoming a full-time college rugby coach in 2016 when I stepped away from competitive playing and devoted more of my time and energy to coaching at Babson.
"Because of the efforts of The Scrum Alum, the support of Norwich University, and the legacy Coach Bob Weggler has built over 25 years, Norwich Rugby has become one of the premier coaching opportunities in collegiate rugby. To be entrusted with leading this program is truly the opportunity of a lifetime. The fact that it is Norwich makes it almost surreal."
Pell's connection to Norwich rugby began long before the hiring process. He first became familiar with the University through its alumni, its rugby reputation, and the program identity that has long surrounded the Cadets.
"I was probably first introduced to Norwich while serving in the Marine Corps, but I first really paid attention after moving to Boston and playing alongside two Norwich alumni nearly 20 years ago," Pell said. "They both had a strange tattoo on their thigh, my first introduction to the Ruggadillo.
"Since then, I've followed Norwich from afar. It quickly became obvious that Norwich was a special place, not only because of rugby, but because of its people and sense of community."
Pell inherits a Norwich program that became one of the most respected rugby programs in the country under Weggler's leadership. The Cadets qualified for 16 national tournaments across 15s and 7s during Weggler's tenure, going deep into the playoffs on multiple occasions as well as running a streaks of five straight conference championships in 15s.
Since joining National Collegiate Rugby in 2021, Norwich has reached the Round of 16 four straight times, and the quarterfinals four times, advancing to the NCR D2 semifinals in both 2021 and 2024. The Cadets also added three consecutive 7s league titles while continuing to develop a strong alumni base, a nationally competitive profile, and one of the most recognizable rugby cultures in the region.
"Over the years, whenever I watched Norwich play, there were always three constants: they were physical, passionate, and disciplined," Pell said. "Those same qualities have shined through every member of the Norwich family I have met throughout this process. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to call The Hill home."
Pell also emphasized his appreciation for the people and communities that have shaped his path to Norwich.
"First, I want to thank the Babson Rugby family for 15 years of friendship, growth, championships, and unwavering support," Pell said. "Babson helped shape me into the coach I am today, and I will always be grateful for the players, alumni, parents, and supporters who shared that journey with me.
"I would also like to thank The Scrum Alum for their extraordinary commitment to Norwich Rugby. Long before I became a candidate, I knew about the impact they had on the program. Their passion and support are a major reason Norwich Rugby continues to thrive."
The Scrum Alums, Norwich men's rugby's alumni support group, have played a central role in the program's growth and visibility, helping support facility improvements, alumni engagement, student-athlete experiences, and the broader culture surrounding Norwich rugby.
"Carrick also has experience engaging with alumni, and our Scrum Alums alumni support group is excited to work with him to support and grow the program," Hockenbury said.
"We are also fortunate that our Assistant Coach, Austin Manhey is returning to his role," Hockenbury said. "His contributions to the program as a player and assistant coach have been central to our success for many years, and I am very much looking forward to seeing Carrick and Austin work together to lead our men's rugby program into the future."
Manhey, a former Norwich rugby standout and longtime assistant, has played a key role in the Cadets' recent success and will continue to help lead the program through its transition.
Pell's own rugby background spans several levels of the sport. He began playing in 1997 with the Birmingham Vulcans and went on to compete with programs including New Haven Rugby, Mystic River Rugby Club, the Boston Irish Wolfhounds, and several select sides, including Texas Selects, USAF Selects, NERFU Selects, and Northeast Selects. He also earned Associated Press Division I-AA All-American honors at Davidson College, competed as a Team USA duathlon athlete and captain at the world championship level, and was an All-Air Force Rugby selection.
His leadership background also includes service in the United States Marine Corps as a reconnaissance Marine from 1989 to 1993, including service during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and later service in the United States Air Force from 1999 to 2003 as a meteorologist supporting mission planning and operational weather analysis.
That standards-driven background has become central to Pell's coaching philosophy.
Pell (in gray) and the Babson Beavers celebrate their 2023 NCR D2 Championship. Photo Alex Goff.
"My mission is simple: to develop better men, because better men become better rugby players, and ultimately better leaders, teammates, husbands, fathers, officers, and citizens," Pell said. "Rugby just happens to be the most fun way. Rugby will always be the vehicle, but the destination is something much greater.
"My commitment to the Norwich family is this: I did not come to Norwich simply to win matches. I came to develop young men, teach great rugby, and build a program worthy of the Norwich standard. If we do those things every day, with discipline, accountability, and gratitude, the championships will take care of themselves."
Pell also thanked Norwich University, Weggler, Hockenbury, the search committee, and the returning student-athletes as he prepares to begin his first season in Northfield.
"Thank you to Norwich University for its commitment to rugby," Pell said. "Many institutions have the ability to elevate rugby to the varsity level; few choose to do so. That commitment demonstrates the value Norwich places on leadership, teamwork, and the development of young men.
"Thank you to Coach Bob Weggler for building one of the most respected programs in collegiate rugby. His impact extends far beyond wins and losses. His legacy is measured in the countless men he has helped shape throughout his career.
"Thank you to Ed Hockenbury and the entire search committee for conducting a thoughtful and highly competitive selection process and for placing their trust in me to lead this program forward. And finally, thank you to the returning players, for putting in the work this summer so that we are prepared to represent Norwich with pride this fall."
Norwich will open its 15s season on Saturday, Sept. 5, traveling to Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Quebec. The Cadets will then return to Northfield for their home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12, against Endicott College.
"I am honored to be part of Norwich DNA and excited to begin the next chapter of Norwich Rugby," Pell said.
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