Naval Academy Athletics

Colton Cariaga enters his first season as an assistant coach for the Navy men's rugby team in the fall of 2026. Cariaga arrived in Annapolis in July 2026 after serving as the head coach of the Harvard club team for three seasons.

During his time at Harvard, Cariaga led the Crimson to three-consecutive Collegiate Rugby Championship qualifying seasons.

Prior to his stint at Harvard, Cariaga served as the head coach at his alma mater, Life University, for six seasons (2017-23). He amassed a 73-13 record and guided the Running Eagles to the playoffs every season they were held (the 2020 and 2021 playoffs were canceled due to COVID-19). Under his leadership, Life captured back-to-back national championship victories over California in 2018 (60-5) and 2019 (29-26).

Cariaga's coaching career began shortly after graduating with a degree in business administration from Life. He accepted an assistant coaching position at Blackrock College in Dublin, Ireland, helping the squad to the Provincial Cup Championship in 2014. He returned to Life as an assistant coach ahead of the 2014 season, helping lead the Running Eagles to three straight Mid-South Conference championships (2015, 2016, 2017) and a national championship victory over St. Mary's (24-20) in 2016.

A native of Charlotte, N.C., Cariaga had an accomplished playing career. As a student-athlete at Life, he served as team captain from 2010 to 2013, leading the Running Eagles to two national championship victories (2011, 2013) and earning All-America honors twice (2012, 2013). While coaching at Blackrock College, he continued his playing career with Trinity Rugby in the All-Ireland League in 2013-14. Later, as an assistant at Life, Cariaga made several appearances for the USA Selects ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the USA Falcons ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games before retiring from competitive rugby in 2017.