Steubenville, OH

With Coach Adams choosing to step away from coaching after his National Championship season, the Barons rugby program has found their next rugby head coach. Franciscan's Athletic Director, Danny Andersen, has named John Prezzia as the next head coach of the Franciscan Barons Rugby program. Coach Prezzia has been involved in high school rugby for many years, starting at Gregory the Great Academy and then moving to Kansas and taking over at St. Martin's Academy the last four years, where he led his team to four state championships, from 2023-2026. His success at both schools will continue the tradition of success with the Barons' Rugby program. Coach Prezzia has worked with the team for the last two years with preseason camps. Coach Prezzia is the older brother of David and Vince Prezzia, both of whom gained NCR All American status. Coach Prezzia is the perfect person to take the reins and lead Franciscan to the next level. Please welcome Coach Prezzia when you see him on campus!!

"I am pleased to announce that we have selected John Prezzia to lead the Franciscan rugby program into the future as the next Head Coach! John comes with a wealth of high-level athletic experience. A former DI wrestler at the University of Wisconsin, John earned Academic All-Big Ten Honors in 2011. Most recently, he served as Head Rugby Coach at St. Martin's Academy in Fort Scott, KS, leading the Kingfishers to four State Championships (2023 - 2026). John also possesses a deep background in the formation of young men in mind, body, and spirit—not only on the pitch, but as a FOCUS Missionary (2015-2016). John is well connected to the institution through several siblings who have graduated from the Franciscan, including his brothers Vincent and David— both NCR All-Americans as Barons. John holds a BA in Business Management from the University of Wisconsin and MA in Classical Education from Benedictine College. We are thrilled to have John joining the program!! Please give him a warm welcome when he arrives in July."

-Director of Athletics, Danny Andersen