Derek Holmberg is entering his 11th season as head coach of the De La Salle rugby program, and he'll be the first to tell you that the success of the Spartans has never been about one person. Holmberg, who has more than 20 years of coaching experience in rugby and football, credits much of what he's learned to his father, Steve, and the many coaches and mentors who helped shape his own journey through sports.
Those lessons have helped guide a De La Salle rugby program that has become one of the most respected in the country. The successes include a career record of 97-12, three state championships, three Northern California Premier titles, and earning the No. 1 national ranking in 2022. While those accomplishments are noteworthy, the coaches are more likely to talk about the players than the trophies.
The program's growth has extended beyond California. In 2024, the Spartans earned a memorable victory over Canada's Shawnigan Lake School in De La Salle's first international match. This past March, the team traveled to Ireland, giving players an opportunity to experience rugby in one of the sport's traditional strongholds while creating lifelong memories together.
The 2026 season reflected the resilience that has become a trademark of the program. Battling injuries throughout the year, the Spartans still finished 8-2 with key victories over ranked opponents like Jesuit, Granite Bay, Rio Americano, and Cathedral Catholic.
Perhaps more importantly, seven seniors earned opportunities to continue their academic and athletic careers at the Division I level. Luke Rectenwald, Turner Madge, and Calvin McCall will attend the University of San Diego; Mika Moan-Anu-Apela is headed to Arizona; Jimmy Rainsford to Long Beach State; and Keaton Erickson and Tyler Foley to Utah. These opportunities represent the true measure of the program's success.
Holmberg, who played rugby for the prestigious Saint Mary's College program, graduated from SMC with a major in Business Adminstration and a minor in Economics. He currently serves as the Vice President of Sales for the Bay Alarm Company.
At home, Holmberg shares the passion for family with his wife, Angie, his college sweetheart, and their three sons: Andrew ('22), Tyler ('25), and Logan ('29).
But ask him what brings him the most pride, and the answer has little to do with championships or rankings. "It's watching these young men leave De La Salle and become great fathers, husbands, teammates, and leaders," Holmberg says. "The rugby is important, but it's really about helping them prepare for whatever comes next."
As another season begins, the Spartans once again carry high expectations. Yet the foundation of the program remains unchanged: build strong relationships, work hard, compete with character, and help young men grow.
