Taking over a one win team in 2015, Hering amassed a 27-7 record overall over 3 seasons at the helm including the 2016-17 Red River Rugby Championship and #16 ranking nationally, Baylor’s best ever finish in Division 1. Last season the Bears returned to the championship as back-to-back North division champs but fell to Texas A&M 29-7 in the final. 21 players under Hering’s tenure were named to the Red River All Conference team.
More importantly Hering led a fundamental change in the club’s culture and returned the former D2 National Champions to their winning ways. The club’s foundation including support from the alumni and university is arguably stronger today than it’s ever been, something extremely important to Hering. “I’m very proud of the work we all accomplished during my tenure as head coach. It was my vision from the start to increase the engagement and commitment of the entire Baylor Rugby family be it the players, the coaching staff, alumni, and university. The next coach will be in a great position to succeed and that’s what we expect” Hering said.
In his role of Director of Rugby, Hering will focus on mentoring coaches and players, executing the administrative duties for the club, as well as working with key figures at the university and alumni leadership to further advance the sport of Rugby on campus at Baylor. One of Hering’s goals is to create a women’s rugby program at Baylor in the near future. Coach Hering said “Baylor has so much potential to become one of the marquee destinations for collegiate rugby in the United States and I’m excited to work with all stakeholders to put a plan in place to grow exponentially in the next few years.” As with any big ideas the proper funding needs to be in place to execute on the vision set forth so the club is asking for support for their fundraising efforts this upcoming season.
To donate please visit https://baylorrugby.org/how-to-help/donations/annual-campaign