Long Beach State University men's rugby has announced the addition of former USA 7s Eagle Peter Sio to the coaching staff.

Sio will be taking the lead role of the 49ers 7s program and is set to become a backs coach during the 15s season. Sio had developed and ran a very successful UCLA 7s program which saw the Bruins to the CRC Tournament Championship game in 2018. This was the same year that he coached the Belmont Shore men’s team to the D1 National Club Championship.

“Southern California’s Gold Coast Conference is moving forward with developing its 7s competition and a pathway to nationals and we are very excited to have Peter take the lead and put us in a position to be very successful," said Long Beach State Head Coach Jason Reynolds. "We have a very talented group of incoming freshmen this year to add to our already strong roster. The players are champing at the bit to get out on the field and start running once the school allows it.”

Former HS All American Jacob Cortinas, who was a Gold Coast 1st Team All-Conference selection as a freshman last season, said the team is pretty excited about the development.

“Peter Sio is a great addition to the coaching staff at Long Beach," said Cortinas. "We have a large group of talented players that would excel in the game of 7s. Most of the team grew up around the Long Beach area, so he can relate to the boys and be a natural fit with the team as he was once a Belmont shore player himself.”

The last time Long Beach State had put a real focus on 7s was in 2013 and ‘14, when former Eagle Al Lakomskis was coaching with the program. Sio certainly has the track record to indicate he could do some big things for the 49ers.