Fort Lewis College Football Program Coaching & Recruiting Staff Send Message, Justin Fields Copyright 2023 by Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado. 2022 Fort Lewis Football Schedule (0-10) Print; Subscribe With. I want to be another helping hand.. Keep your mouth shut!. Had he waited around, Division I assistant offers likely would have flooded in. Not going to Houston is the only thing I regret in my whole high school career because I didnt get a chance to show the college recruiters what I had.. Fort Lewis A&M's Ray Dennison in September 1955, shortly before an on-field collision in Trinidad that led to his death. To me, it's a situation where we're going to have to work hard to try and get the excitement up, get the program going in the right direction, win some games and graduate our kids, he said. Hes not mellow, thats for sure.. If you do not currently use any of these browsers, here are links to download Google Chrome and Firefox for free. At Division I you charter planes. Posted by Quentin Jodie | Jun 4, 2020 | Football |. We love that about him., Smith is learning to love Fort Lewis, too, despite all of the headaches that come with the job. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. About. Rifilato will remain on the staff as a linebackers coach, and defensive coordinator Joe. Hunter said that Smith is a proven winner, not just on the gridiron, but in terms of the academic success of his student-athletes. I really didnt take that into account, he asserted. Years ago, Smith stepped into the Alabama home of a top player and took note of family photos adorning the mantel. Now called the Durango Mountain Resort, its a stop on the Fort Lewis recruiting tour. The official staff directory for the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks . When I was younger I used to travel with him to rodeos and I wanted to be a cowboy. My family always stressed education and after my sophomore year I realized that I had the talent to go somewhere with it. The 2022 New Mexico Highlands Cowboys football team represented New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico, during the 2022 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football season. Gomez said he tried to get back into rodeo but the pain was too much to overcome so he decided to give football and basketball a try even though he wasnt as good. Loud, boisterous and full of one-liners, Smith has become almost a caricature of himself. Student-Athlete. Do we go on the field? FLC said it plans to begin a search for a new coach. Skyhawks get their seasons rolling - The Durango Herald Maybe Division II doesnt need someone like me, whos so demanding, he says. Fort Lewis plays its final game of the season on Saturday when it hosts Chadron State. De La Cruz, who is minoring in coaching, said the internship has helped her learn more about football and she would love to coach after she graduates. I'm a : Smiths wardrobe most days is a brand mash-up: Nike shoes, Russell Athletic shirt, Under Armour hat. The official Roster for the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks. I love and will miss the people and the town of Durango. We are extremely fortunate to have a coach with the tremendous background and experience that John L. brings to Fort Lewis College, said Hunter. DURANGO, Colo. -- The first time John L. Smith attended a budget meeting at Fort Lewis College, a small liberal arts school nestled among the mountains in the southwest corner of Colorado, his athletic director said 13 words that caught Smith so off guard he almost fell out of his chair. There will be a Cash Bar with light appetizers being provided by Sodexo Catering. Smith was chosen as the Big Ten Coach of the Year at Michigan State in 2003. Of the two sports, Gomez says he doesnt favor one over the other. Here you can explore important information about Fort Lewis College Football. I think the film really set it off for me.. Rivas-Sandoval announced his resignation as head coach a week ago. The 2022 Black Hills State Yellow Jackets football team represented Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota, during the 2022 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football season. The Skyhawks also narrowly missed qualifying for the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in school history. profiles were viewed 4.1 million times by college coaches in 2021. John L. Smith a longtime NCAA Division I head coach with success at six different universities will become head football coach at Fort Lewis College effective March 1, Skyhawk Director of Athletics Gary Hunter announced today. The official Football Coach List for the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks Skip To Main . A native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Smith married the former Diana Flora on August 15, 1970. By taking advantage of this extensive network, more than 92 percent of NCSA verified athletes play at the college level. In three years at the helm, Smith and the Skyhawks went 14-19 overall (.424) and 11-16 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (.407). Additional essential staff include: 362-acre campus in Durango (population: 13,922), 174 miles from Grand Junction. Theyve been an asset to the program, and Im excited theyre taking advantage of this opportunity. Dene Kay Thomas, now the president at Fort Lewis, worked as an associate dean at Idaho at the same time. When the clock wound down on a 23-22 Fort Lewis win, the players had no idea how to celebrate. Though hes at an age when many men enjoy golfing and spending time with their grandchildren, retirement was not an option. The Skyhawks have never been one of them. Privacy Policy, Weather data from The Durango Herald and darksky.net, Female interns help program while learning career skills, Fort Lewis football interns Averi Basso, Karla De La Cruz and Madison Carlton have been helping the program with its day-to-day operations while learning its ins and outs this spring. When I got there some of those dudes had Division I football offers and those guys had some private trainers, Gomez said of the combine in the Valley. We have full confidence that Coach Rifilato will continue to grow the program successfully." could be heard humming in his baritone voice as he went about his work after UPS athletic director and football coach John Heinrick brought him aboard as a 27-year old assistant. Hes a great athlete and a great kid, he said. The CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves finished in second place with an 84 overall record. They are working directly with me on day-to-day operations, said FLC head coach Johnny Cox. He even had a basketball offer from Northern New Mexico College. Carlton, like Basso, wants to go into sports psychology. profile and get matched with the right choices. Ed Rifilato resigns as head coach of Fort Lewis College football This is one of the ways SportsRecruits can help. | NCSA athlete's Before inking his name to the Fort Lewis College football team Gabe Gomez had contemplating on attending a bevy of other schools that were interested in him. Fort Lewis Football Week 13 Predictions for Every Game Kerry Miller. She said FLCs cheerleading program is relatively similar to footballs. Smith is also the uncle of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith. . Chambers slaps Smiths back before glancing at a teammate and shaking his head. I get my shirt and shorts and I think Im spoiled, Gillen says. In 2021, Lapuaho (pronounced Lah-poo-ah-ho) was a full-time assistant for the first time in his career, helping Utah State win the MW title while going 11-3 and finishing No. Ballantine Communications, Inc. I was asked about that by another reporter and I just laughed about that. Colorado Mines quarterback John Matocha was selected as the RMAC Offensive Player of the Year, and Brandon Moore was selected as the RMAC Coach of the Year.[21]. Ironically, attending Fort Lewis wasn't even on his radar at all. 2022 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football season, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football champions, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football, 2022 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football standings, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Black Hills State Yellow Jackets football, "Grand Valley beats Mines in battle of top-five teams with late touchdown drive", "Mines football falls to Angelo State in overtime, 30-27: A heartbreaking home opener", "No. In 2013, when Jim Rome heard about Smith accepting a position at tiny Fort Lewis, the radio show host asked a question many fans around the nation likely did: Is he crazy?, Looking back, Smith smiles slyly. The DHS athletes who signed letters of intent include cross-country runners Damian Frausto (University of Pittsburgh) and Angela McManus (California State University San Marcos); football players. Coach doesnt sit around and wait for other people to do stuff for him, says senior offensive lineman Arthur Ray, rolling his eyes. To be a successful lineman, she said, its all about footwork and hand placement and using leverage,. In the meantime, we'd like to offer some helpful information to kick start your recruiting process. Cox said there is kind of a barrier for girls who want to get involved with football since most didnt play the sport, but said, Theres a lot of great coaches who are male who didnt play football or werent very good. He said players are open to advice from anyone as long as it makes them better. Hunter was the director of athletics who hired Smith for his first head coaching job at Idaho in 1989, while Thomas served as associate dean at Idaho during his tenure. Past FLC head coaches include Rivas-Sandoval (2010-12, 6-25), Rifilato (2004-09, 22-41), Todd Throckmorton (2000-03, 11-33), Todd Wash (1996-99, 11-31), Dave Preszler (1994-95, 6-15), Kevin Donnalley (1992-93, 2-18), Sheldon Keresey (1988-91, 6-32), Bill Cooke (1984-87, 20-16-1), Gary Barnett (1982-83, 8-11-1), Jay McNitt (1971-81, 46-56-1) and Lou Cullen (1963-70, 20-49). If you dont talk about being a champion youre never going to get there, he says. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Choose A Season: Schedule/Results. The Recruitng Coordinator (JuCo, Transfers), Volunteer Assistant Coach (Tight Ends) of the Fort Lewis College Football program is John Sandoval. Page athlete to follow passion on Fort Lewis football team I am thrilled! said President Thomas. Smiths face turns a deep shade of crimson and his eyes bulge. Fort Lewis Panthers (1957-58) / Seattle Ramblers (1959) Center / Noseguard . You have to raise a quarter of it.. Thanks for visiting the Fort Lewis College Football scholarship and program information page. Were sorry, you have to be 13 years old In July 2022, Spencer Brown was appointed as the team's new defensive coordinator. Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General, Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Natural Resources Conservation and Research, Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Political Science and Government, General. Defensive coordinator Ed Rifilato will continue to oversee day-to-day operations until Smith arrives on campus. Rifilato was also the director of football operations under Smith at Louisville in 2002. In 19 seasons as a head coach, his teams have compiled a 136-94 record (.591) and advanced to seven bowl games. When youre a competitor, it doesnt matter if youre coaching the New England Patriots or the Fort Lewis Skyhawks. The 2022 Fort Lewis Skyhawks football team represented Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, during the 2022 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) football season. To get actively recruited, a college coach needs to see you compete, which is why its important to have an online athletic recruiting profile. Al Lapuaho joins the Nevada football coaching staff as the defensive line coach. To help him through the grieving process, he used sports as an outlet to cope with the losses he endured. I love how different it is, De La Cruz said. Arizona State forced 13 turnovers in only four games, highlighted by a seven-turnover performance in the Territorial Cup victory. On more than one overnight trip campus police have ticketed Smiths vehicle. I have some little brothers and they mean the world to me. (Cody Olivas/Durango Herald), Fort Lewis football interns, from left, Madison Carlton, Karla De La Cruz and Averi Basso have been assets for the prgram. Microsoft no longer supports most versions of Internet Explorer, since it released Microsoft Edge in 2015. Contact any college in the country in just a few clicks. Standard rates apply. The last time the Skyhawks notched seven wins in a season was 2006 when Rifilato was the head coach. Physical Education, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Coed dorms, Single-student apartments, Married-student apartments, Special housing for disabled students, Other. In the 26th minute, Andres Hernandez assisted Milen Manchev on what proved to be the game-winning goal for Fort Lewis. Two years into the job, Smith says there have been a lot of reallys. In their 15th year under head coach John Wristen, the ThunderWolves compiled an 84 record (72 against conference opponents) and finished second in the RMAC. Last summer he tore a ligament in his right ankle while playing in a championship game in a basketball tournament at Arizona State University. The 2022 Western Colorado Mountaineers football team represented the Western Colorado University in Gunnison, Colorado, during the 2022 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) football season. The Recruitng Coordinator (JuCo, Transfers), Volunteer Assistant Coach (Tight Ends) of the Fort Lewis College Football program is John Sandoval. The longest trip of this year was the first, when the Skyhawks drove 18 hours to UC-Davis for a 52-17 thrashing on Sept. 6. Asked if hes capable of relaxing, Smith sheepishly admits hes probably not. Smith had been hired at Weber State, his alma mater, following the 11 campaign, but left after spring football and went back to Arkansas, where he had once been an assistant under Petrino. I thought on kickoffs you kicked the ball, ran down the field and tackled somebody. He did flag football and he started playing basketball.. While serving as head coach and defensive coordinator for the Skyhawks from 2004-09, Rifilato guided FLC to the postseason for the first time in FLC's forty-year college history (which began in 1963), winning the Dixie Rotary Bowl by defeating host Dixie State 24-14. Get Recruited. Last offseason defensive line and strength and conditioning coach Joe Morris spent weeks driving around Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, crashing on friends couches and sleeping in his car trying to track down overlooked talent. Basso, meanwhile, has been tasked with making a poster explaining why she as an athlete chose Fort Lewis. In general, the interns have been helping with fundraising, recruiting athletes and taking them on campus tours; providing information to incoming freshmen; attending meetings and taking notes; and giving evaluations on potential players. We were way further behind than I realized. 2023 Football Coaching Staff. "I am very honored to take over as the head football coach of Fort Lewis College," said Rifilato. There are no apparel contracts. Junior Madison Carlton, who also cheers for the Skyhawks, and senior cross-country and track runner Karla De La Cruz also intern with the team. Find out what coaches are viewing your Coach Smith navigated our football program through one of the toughest two-year stretches weve ever seen due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and I wish him all the best as he moves forward in his career, Leimbach said. Getting back to the mountains is very important to me. Smith has accepted the head coaching position at Kentucky State University (NCAA Division II) in Frankfort, Kentucky. Head football coach John L. Smith resigns; Rifilato takes the reins Hear from Fort Lewis College Head Football Coach Johnny Cox after a tough 70-10 loss on the road at Colorado Mesa University.