Rasmus Out as Head Coach at Long Island University

12.05.2023College Women

Long Island University Women's Head Coach Joe Rasmus is no longer Head Coach of the program.

While Rasmus replied "no comment" to confirming he was out at the college, that wasn't exactly a denial when GRR attempted to confirm reports that he was out at LIU. This week LIU posted the Head Coach job as vacant and is seeking a replacement.

This was a rough ending for Rasmus considering he is the only LIU Head Coach to actually win any 15-a-side games. His Sharks beat Mount St. Mary's 18-0 on September 2 in NIRA varsity league action.

First-Ever NIRA DI Win May Be Just the Start for LIU

While that was the only victory for LIU this fall, they did also come very close against Navy, losing 19-18.

In 2022-23, LIU played 10s and 7s, ultimately going 17-17.

However, depth has been an issue at LIU. The administration appears to think that because rugby has a gameday roster of 23, the rugby program only needs 23 players. This, of course, is not too smart as players get injured. Most rugby programs carry at least 25 and generally prefer to carry about 40 players. It is essentially rugby malpractice to force a coach to carry only 23 players to get through a full 15-a-side college season.

The upshot of those short-sightedness was that LIU was unable to field a full side for its final three games of the fall. Injuries had left Rasmus with fewer than 15 players and a much-depleted tight five.

Despite this, recent conversations between GRR and Rasmus (GRR Editor Alex Goff has worked with Rasmus in several broadcast assignments of late) indicated that Rasmus was invested in making the program work and grow, and was even looking to expand the Shark Attack 7s which LIU held this past spring.

Rasmus saw success coaching Chicago North Shore in the Women's Premier League and also was Head Coach at University of Illinois, where he grew the program into possibly the largest collegiate club in the country, with an intercollegiate team plus several intramural teams. He coached Long Island University for two fall seasons and one spring. During that time the team played 41 games (15s, 10s, and 7s), and won 18, lost 22, and tied 1 game.

The Long Island University job posting is here>>

It is unclear whether the coaching change will have an impact on the team roster—whether the players will stay or transfer, and whether recruits will still choose to attend or change their minds. Certainly any new coach will have a massive recruiting job ahead.

Rasmus Out as Head Coach at Long Island University

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