Leadership
Jacob Mizell
Head Coach
Jake Mizell brings more than 20 years of experience in rugby as both a player and coach, including at the collegiate level. A native of Keller, TX, Mizell began playing with Alliance Rugby before becoming a five-year starter and captain for the club’s U19 side, helping lead the program to Texas state championships in 2007 and 2009 while also representing Texas High Performance. He continued his playing career at Arkansas State University, where he was a five-year starter, Collegiate All-American, part of a team that advanced to the 2012 15’s national championship match, and a member of four D1A semifinal teams before later winning a Pacific Rugby Premiership title with the Glendale Raptors. Mizell most recently served as Assistant Coach for the Army West Point Men’s Rugby, working exstensively with the forwards, set piece, recruiting, scouting player development, film analysis, and program operation in a high-performance environment centered on leadership and accountability. Before Army, he served as Head Coach and Director of Rugby Operations at Arkansas State, where he expanded recruiting systems, supported academic accountability, helped develop players who advanced to Major League Rugby, and earned the University’s 2022 Alpha Wolf Award for positive campus impact. His coaching experience also includes roles at Iowa Central Community College, where he helped with the 2019 D1AA National Championship, as well as stops at The University of Oklahoma, Spring Hill College, and Glendale Raptors Youth Rugby.
Jacob Tai
Assistant Coach
Born in Japan and raised in Hong Kong, Jacob Tai played collegiate rugby at Brigham Young University from 2017–2019 and 2022–2024, competing at the highest level collegiate rugby has to offer. A true utility player, he featured at scrum-half, fullback, wing, center, and even hooker—bringing a uniquely complete understanding of the game.
Tai emphasizes discipline, adaptability, and player development, and is excited to join the coaching staff to support Tui Osborne in leading the Aggies into a new era.
Travis Normand
Assistant Coach
Travis Normand ‘99 is an attorney living and working in College Station, Texas, with his wife (Heather) and two children. He played rugby at Texas A&M in the mid-1990s while a student; an experience he credits as instrumental to both his personal growth and lifelong passion for the sport. After graduating from A&M with a BBA in Marketing and a BBA in Management, he attended graduate school at Texas A&M, where he earned an MS in Marketing. He then earned his JD at South Texas College of Law in 2011. Before his legal career, Travis worked for the NFL and the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Travis hopes to help others fully recognize and appreciate the importance and value of playing rugby at Texas A&M.
Archie Callaghan
Assistant Coach
A former loosehead prop with experience across elite development pathways, Archie Callaghan came through professional rugby academies from a young age before representing Scotland U18 at age-grade level. He later played semi-professionally with Newport RFC. Heading into the 2026–2027 season as a forwards coach specialising in set pieces, he brings a performance-driven approach shaped by both high-level playing experience and academic expertise. Alongside coaching, he is currently completing a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, applying analytical and performance-based principles to player development and forward pack efficiency.
Jonathan Trzecki
President
Jonathan Trzecki is a senior finance major in the class of 2027, working towards his master’s in financial management. He has played rugby for over 2 years. Throughout his career, he has served as a captain and played in many positions throughout the pack. He has taken on a variety of leadership roles and is excited to serve the Texas A&M Men’s Rugby Club.
Ian Linkerhof
Vice President
Ian Linkerhof is a senior Sport Management major in the class of 2027 and has been playing rugby for three years. He previously served as a recruitment officer and now as vice president. He has played in many positions in the back line and has been apart of both maroon 15’s and 7’s squads and will continue to make an impact on and off the field.
Lance Lipkin
Treasurer
Lance Lipkin is an Economics major in the Class of 2028, pursuing a Master of Finance, and has been playing rugby for four years. He serves as the Treasurer for the Texas A&M Men’s Rugby Club and previously played for the National Collegiate Rugby All-Stars team, representing the NCR South Region. Lance transferred to Texas A&M from Tarleton State University and is a member of the Aggie Investment Club and Mays business Schools 2029 Aggies on Wall Street cohort. He is excited and honored to manage the club’s finances and support the team’s continued growth and success!
Pratham Shah
Gareth Jones Director
Pratham Shah is a Neuroscience major on the Pre-Med track in the Class of 2028. He is from Frisco, TX and is heavily involved within the Texas A&M community. He is excited and honored to be carrying on Gareth Jones’s legacy!
