Head Coach
C. Harold Perkins “Meatlocker”
- Joined MSU
- Spring 2026
- Experience
- 20+ years as player, coach & referee
- Profession
- MSU professor
- Service
- U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran
Coach Perkins, known in the rugby community as “Meatlocker,” took over the MSU Men's Rugby program in spring 2026. The nickname comes from a punishing, downhill style of play and one rule he lives by: never go backwards on a rugby field. He is committed to developing elite players and growing the game nationwide.
Coaching experience
- Indiana University2018–2021
Forwards Coach for the 2019 Big Ten Champions. Built a pack that won 93% of its set pieces and produced 7 All-Big Ten selections.
- MSU Women & Lansing Men2022–present
Head Coach of MSU Women (2022–2025) and the Lansing Men (2023–present), leading Lansing to four straight Midwest playoff berths.
- Michigan Representative Sides2024–present
Forwards Coach for the Michigan Men's Senior Selects (2024) and U23 Women's Selects (2025–2026). Set to become Head Coach of the Michigan U23 Men in 2027.
Coach Perkins also works to grow the game at the grassroots level. With the Lansing Rugby Foundation, he helps expand local opportunities to play and supports the growth of high school rugby across the region.
He has taught at the university level since 2013, at Roane State Community College, Cleary University and Indiana University, before returning home to teach at Michigan State in 2022.
At MSU, his goal is a fast, physical and disruptive team that makes opponents pay a heavy physical and mental cost. He is building a supportive team culture while holding players to high standards of character and academics, so the program produces strong students, leaders and people.