Meet the coaches
sam nieto
Head Coach
After serving four years in the United States Marine Corps, Sam found his way back to a familiar sense of brotherhood on the rugby pitch, playing inside center for the Fort Collins Flamingos. Rugby gave him what he missed most after leaving the Corps: connection, purpose, and family. That experience shaped his love for the sport and continues to influence the way he coaches today.
Sam has been coaching youth sports since 2013, beginning with ten years of experience coaching both flag and tackle football. During that time, he was part of four state championship teams before bringing his coaching experience and passion for athlete development to rugby. He began his rugby coaching journey with the Larimer Knights and Hammers Rugby Club and has now spent six years coaching rugby and developing athletes both on and off the pitch.
In 2024, Sam founded Black Sheep Rugby Club with a vision of creating a program where young athletes could learn the game, compete at a high level, and become part of a strong rugby community. In addition to leading Black Sheep Rugby, Sam coaches with the USA Rugby West Academy, continuing to work with developing rugby athletes at the regional level.
Sam’s coaching philosophy centers on building a genuine love for the game. His style is old-school, hard-nosed, and demanding, but always grounded in fundamentals, player safety, and respect for the sport. He believes in a work-hard, play-hard culture: practices are where athletes put in the work, develop their skills, and push themselves to improve, while game days are an opportunity to compete, have fun, and showcase their talents with confidence and a little flair.
For Sam, rugby is more than a sport he coaches; it is a way of life. He and his wife are raising four ruggers of their own, who compete in tournaments across the country and share the family’s passion for the game.
Coach Nieto’s leadership is built on brotherhood, discipline, hard work, heart, and joy for the game. Black Sheep Rugby Club is proud to have him leading the program and helping build the future of rugby in Northern Colorado.
Adel Nieto
Club Manager/Team Mom
As the wife of Black Sheep Rugby Club’s head coach and the proud mom of four rugby-loving kids, Ade'l’s connection to the sport goes far beyond the sidelines. Rugby has become a way of life for the Nieto family, and Adel brings that same passion and energy to helping grow the game and build the Black Sheep community.
Behind the scenes, Adel helps keep the club moving. During the off-season, she works to introduce new athletes and families to rugby, supports recruitment efforts for Black Sheep Rugby Club and the broader rugby community, organizes registration, answers questions, coordinates club communication, and helps make sure families have the information they need. When jamboree season arrives, she can usually be found on the sidelines cheering loudly for every Black Sheep athlete.
For families who are new to rugby, Adel is a go-to resource for questions about the game, rugby culture, registration, schedules, finding the right pitch, or simply figuring out what comes next. She also helps keep the Black Sheep community outfitted in pink and black gear so families and fans can proudly support the club.
Adel believes that one of the best parts of rugby is the community surrounding it. She is always happy to help families feel welcome, find answers, and become part of the Black Sheep Rugby family.
Sol Mascarenas
Coach
Coach Sol Mascarenas brings more than 25 years of playing and coaching experience to Black Sheep Rugby Club. His athletic background includes competing as an NCAA wrestler and rugby player, playing rugby internationally, and competing at the national level alongside many USA Eagles.
For more than 30 years, Coach Sol has worked with athletes ranging from kindergarten through high school, helping young players develop their skills, confidence, and love for competition. Among his coaching highlights is leading a 12U team representing the United States to a third-place finish in an international competition featuring teams from 23 nations. He currently coaches with both Black Sheep Rugby Club and the USA West Rugby Academy.
Coach Sol believes rugby is one of the greatest sports in the world because it demands a unique combination of grit, determination, dedication, speed, and finesse. His coaching philosophy centers on strong fundamentals, teamwork, confidence, and creating a safe, supportive environment where young athletes can develop a lifelong love for the game.
For Sol, the lessons learned on the pitch extend far beyond rugby. The game teaches respect, resilience, accountability, teamwork, and community. Having experienced firsthand all that rugby has to offer, he is passionate about sharing the sport and its culture with the next generation of athletes.
As rugby continues to grow across the United States and gain greater exposure through the Olympic Games, Sol believes there has never been a better time for young athletes to discover the sport. He values rugby's uniquely welcoming and supportive culture and is proud to help players of all experience levels find their place in the game.
Coach Sol is proud to be part of the Black Sheep Rugby Club family and looks forward to helping its athletes and the rugby community grow both on and off the pitch.
Garrett Lanham
Coach
Garrett Lanham is a former college and semi-professional football player with a lifelong commitment to athletics and mentorship. He played college football at Western State and spent eight years competing at the semi-pro level, while also club wrestling during his college years. As a father of three sons who compete in football, wrestling, and rugby at high levels, Garrett brings both experience and heart to coaching. His greatest passion lies in developing young athletes—teaching discipline, resilience, and confidence while helping them reach their full potential.