Its important you build a relationship with the coaching staff. To help him through the grieving process, he used sports as an outlet to cope with the losses he endured. 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. Smith, 65, was once a marquee name in big-time college football. When youre a competitor, it doesnt matter if youre coaching the New England Patriots or the Fort Lewis Skyhawks. Stats Men's Basketball vs 3-Seed #16/12 Black Hills State University March 3, 2023 7:30 PM. Dont worryNCSA is But its a spirit Hunter loves. He played quarterback and linebacker for the Wildcats from 1967-70 before joining their staff as a graduate assistant for the 1971 season. Forget having a courtesy car; theres not even courtesy parking. That capped a season that saw the Skyhawks go 7-4 overall, matching FLC's most wins in a single season. 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). Johnny Cox. Fort Lewis Football Week 13 Predictions for Every Game Kerry Miller. Business, Sports and Entertainment Management/Marketing, Other. The team won in the first three rounds of the NCAA Division II playoffs and faces Shepherd in the semifinals on December 10. I thought on kickoffs you kicked the ball, ran down the field and tackled somebody. Defensive coordinator Ed Rifilato has been promoted to head coach. The official 2023 Football Roster for the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks. Here are two of our most popular articles to get you started: NCSA College Recruiting (NCSA) is the exclusive athletic recruiting network that educates, assists, and connects, families, coaches and companies so I'm just thankful that they've provided me the opportunity to do this. All Rights Reserved. Before Highlands, Rifilato was defensive coordinator at Chaffey Junior College in 1994-95. Fort Lewis Panthers (1957-58) / Seattle Ramblers (1959) Center / Noseguard . All Ive been doing is just grinding day-in and day-out, he said. Rifilato will officially take over as head coach beginning Jan. 1, 2016. I really dont know but the coaches never really gave him a chance, she said. A real-time feed of college coaches interactions with your profile, video and messages. At this point in my career, to get back and coach for the real reasons not to get somebody to the NFL, but to coach kids who want to play the game and get an education. Hes a great athlete and a great kid, he said. John L. and I had a good working relationship at UI, cooperating on selection and advising of the student-athletes. He adds it could also mark the beginning of a slow descent into insanity. He attended the University of Idaho, Long Beach City College, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business management from California Coast University in 1998. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file), What Silvertons snowpocalypse teaches us about winter weather preparation in rural Colorado, Report a paper delivery issue/suspend delivery. The following season, he was sidelined with a broken ankle, an injury he sustained at the start of the season. Tickets Men's Basketball vs 3-Seed #16/12 Black Hills State University March 3, 2023 7:30 PM. Fort Lewis Football Week 14 Amway Coaches Poll Timothy Rapp. He ended up passing away and when that happened I was really sad.. Hunter said that Smith is a proven winner, not just on the gridiron, but in terms of the academic success of his student-athletes. President Dene Kay Thomas was instrumental in assisting us set up an academic advising and support unit at the University of Idaho when she was associate dean there, and developed a close working relationship with John L. That was a key in getting him to Fort Lewis College. Winning a conference title seems ludicrous given the lack of resources, but Smith tells his players its possible. The Orediggers' quarterback John Matocha was selected as the RMAC Offensive Player of the Year, and Brandon Moore of Colorado Mines was selected as the RMAC Coach of the Year. We all saw the videos, backup quarterback Trevor Bonifasi says. here for you as soon as you turn 13. The first year a coach was assigned to the team was 1913 when Ira Van Cleave led the team to a record of 4 wins and 2 losses. I cherish every moment and every relationship made, Smith said. Send Message. Bring friends, family, fun! Sign up for our daily email newsletter or to receive breaking news delivered to your inbox: Choose from several print and digital subscription packages, 2023 Durango Herald | search for recruits on NCSA's platform 741,611 times in 2021. There are no apparel contracts. When I first got here, I thought by the end of year two, wed have this thing turned around, he says. 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. Physical Education, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Coed dorms, Single-student apartments, Married-student apartments, Special housing for disabled students, Other. via Bleacher Report; Week 13 Predictions for Every Game. I love how different it is, De La Cruz said. He had served as NMHU's defensive coordinator from 1996-98. [2] [3] High School career [ edit] DURANGO, Colo. - The Fort Lewis College football program is excited about the addition of 30 student-athletes to the 2023 roster, head coach Johnny Cox announced today. Fort Lewis Football Head Football Coach at Fort Lewis College Durango, Colorado, United States. CSU Pueblo defensive tackle Trey Botts was selected as the RMAC Defensive Player of the Year.[21]. Im extremely excited, Johnson said. All of the coaches are super-awesome and supportive of their female interns. Im not sure Im the right one for that. As a well-rounded two-sport athlete, Gomez said hes contacted the mens basketball coach at Fort Lewis and hes hoping to play both sports collegiately. Make it as easy as possible for the Fort Lewis College Football coaching staff to learn about you as an athlete, and be able to start a conversation with you. The night before the Mesa game, Smith gathers the special teams in a Holiday Inn conference room and shows video of a kickoff return, explaining how close the Skyhawks have previously come to scoring. Marvin Lewis. My family always stressed education and after my sophomore year I realized that I had the talent to go somewhere with it. I want to be another helping hand.. Defensive coordinator Ed Rifilato has been promoted to head coach. A native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Smith married the former Diana Flora on August 15, 1970. At one point Morris picked up three prospects in Phoenix and drove them seven hours to Durango for a campus visit. Thanks for visiting the Fort Lewis College Football scholarship and program information page. Football is more complex.. 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. He quickly learned sitting still was not his strong suit. Players there are just different, he says. RSVPs to Wayne Barger would be appreciated. Coach doesnt sit around and wait for other people to do stuff for him, says senior offensive lineman Arthur Ray, rolling his eyes. /. Had he waited around, Division I assistant offers likely would have flooded in. Rivas-Sandoval announced his resignation as head coach a week ago. 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. Here you can explore important information about Fort Lewis College Football. He won the Colorado National Football Foundation Coach of the Year honors in 2005 and 2006 while at Fort Lewis College, and RMAC Coach of the Year honors while at New Mexico Highlands in 1999. Im hoping to learn how a football team is run; what offensive and defensive coordinators do and how to be a head coach.. Smith has always been drawn to the West. Smith was hired in February 2020 as the 14th head coach in program history. I knew Johns personality, how competitive he was and how much he enjoyed a good adventure. The Skyhawks notched seven wins this past season, including six in conference games (7-4, 6-3 RMAC). La squadra gioca le partite casalinghe a Lewis Field Stadium, che si trova nel campus di Fort Hays State University di Hays, Kansas. Watch Men's Basketball vs 3-Seed #16/12 Black Hills State University March 3, 2023 7:30 PM. His junior year, he played with a cast for a good part of the football season as he shattered his left hand. There will be a Cash Bar with light appetizers being provided by Sodexo Catering. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Smith has accepted the head coaching position at Kentucky State University (NCAA Division II) in Frankfort, Kentucky. We love that about him., Smith is learning to love Fort Lewis, too, despite all of the headaches that come with the job. He made head coaching stops at Louisville, Michigan State and Arkansas, among other programs, and is one of just 19 men to take three different schools to bowl games. The NCAA caps scholarships for Division II programs at 36, though they can be split among multiple players. Assumption of Risk & Responsibility Waiver, Assistant Coach-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line, Assistant Coach-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, Assistant Coach-Recruiting Coordinator/Defensive Backs, Assistant Coach-Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs, Assistant Coach-Recruiting Coordinator JUCO/Transfers/Tight Ends, Student Volunteer Assistant for Operations. Due to federal privacy regulations, we are not able to create an athlete profile for students under 13 years old. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Two years into the job, Smith says there have been a lot of reallys. On more than one overnight trip campus police have ticketed Smiths vehicle. New Mexico Highlands punt returner CJ Sims was selected as the RMAC Special Teams Player of the Year.[21]. In their first year under head coach Brandon Moore, the Orediggers compiled an overall record of 133 with a mark of 90 against conference opponents, winning the RMAC championship. The Recruitng Coordinator (JuCo, Transfers), Volunteer Assistant Coach (Tight Ends) of the Fort Lewis College Football program is John Sandoval. On Oct. 11 Fort Lewis shocked No. The Page High graduate said signing his letter of intent is a dream come true. I think the film really set it off for me.. The 2022 Chadron State Eagles football team represented Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska, during the 2022 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) football season. We dont really have donors. I look forward to serving Fort Lewis College and our community." He spent the 1992-93 seasons as linebackers coach at San Bernardino Valley Junior College. The 2022 Colorado Mesa Mavericks football team represented Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado, during the 2022 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football season. 89. This information is very valuable for all high school student-athletes to understand as they start the recruiting process. In the fall, incoming freshman Alyssa Johnson also will intern with the program. Gomez made contact with the coaches and at that point nothing was guaranteed. 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. Marvin Ronald Lewis (born September 23, 1958) is an American football coach who is special advisor to the head coach at Arizona State. After all, the coffee pot and best printer are located outside Hunters office. The Fort Lewis College Department of Athletics announced Wednesday that Darrius G. Smith has stepped down as head football coach, effective immediately. When you give people an opportunity and they do well, it opens the door for the next person, Cox said. Bringing decades of NFL coaching experience, former Cincinnati Bengals head coach and defensive mastermind Marvin Lewis will serve as special advisor to head coach Herm Edwards in 2021. Asked if hes capable of relaxing, Smith sheepishly admits hes probably not. Here you can explore important information about Fort Lewis College Football. John L. Smith's latest adventure: How the former Arkansas, Michigan State and Louisville football coach landed at Division II Fort Lewis College. From 2008-12 it went 10-58, including 7-38 in league play. I didnt get a chance to go because I got hurt. The Skyhawks have never been one of them. The Recruitng Coordinator (JuCo, Transfers), Volunteer Assistant Coach (Tight Ends) of the Fort Lewis College Football program is John Sandoval. 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]. Its a good challenge for him.. "He took an 0-10 team from 2012 and turned it into a winning program. Fort Lewis A&M's Ray Dennison in September 1955, shortly before an on-field collision in Trinidad that led to his death. This is the Fort Lewis College (Colorado) Football scholarship and program information page. The 2022 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football season was the season of college football played by the ten member schools of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) as part of the 2022 NCAA Division II football season. [62] With Brown as defensive coordinator, the Skyhawks gave up an average of 60.7 points per game. The second-year FLC athletic director said the hiring proves the college's commitment to fielding a successful football program, both on and off the field. They offered Smith the position and he accepted on Jan. 16, 2013. Contact any college in the country in just a few clicks. I'm very excited to actually coach for the real reasons you get into coaching to make a difference in the kids' lives and help them get an education, he said. We are extremely fortunate to have a coach with the tremendous background and experience that John L. brings to Fort Lewis College, said Hunter. It was tough on me and when that all happened sports took affect in my life, he said. In their third year under head coach Jarrell Harrison, the Grizzlies compiled a 29 record (27 against conference opponents) and finished ninth in the RMAC. We truly believe that John L. and Diana Smith will be a perfect fit for the Fort Lewis College family and Durango community, said Hunter. I first looked at Fort Lewis College because of two people: Dene Thomas who I think the world of and is the best person ever that I could work for and Gary Hunter, who was my first athletic director at Idaho and is a true friend, said Smith. Dene Kay Thomas, now the president at Fort Lewis, worked as an associate dean at Idaho at the same time. His grandmother, Desbah Tsinigine, who passed away at 98 years-old encouraged Gomez to pursue an education. No matter how far out it is, I believe in talking about it now. Under head coach Johnny Cox, the Grizzlies compiled a 0-10 record (0-9) against conference opponents) and finished last in the RMAC. FLC said it plans to begin a search for a new coach. He chose Fort Lewis based on its close proximity to his familys home in LeChee, Arizona. Call 917-426-9745 to speak with one of our Recruiting Specialists. Players gush about Smiths ability to break down the game. To get actively recruited, a college coach needs to see you compete, which is why its important to have an online athletic recruiting profile. By taking advantage of this extensive network, more than 92 percent of NCSA verified athletes play at the college level. When you communicate clearly and concisely and youre right, if you can help a player, they dont care where the advice comes from, Cox said. He's a great player's coach, said Rifilato, who played for Smith in 1983 and 1984 at the University of Idaho, earning the Vandals' Defensive MVP award. I did that and I got an invite back to another combine camp in Houston to try and make the national team, he said. Hes not mellow, thats for sure.. Search for colleges, create a recruiting resume and connect with any college coach in the country in just a few clicks with SportsRecruits. This is one of the ways SportsRecruits can help. I have a tendency to piss people off and now I have to be the fundraiser? Fort Lewis College Football Program Coaching & Recruiting Staff If you are trying to get recruited it is critical to understand who to get in front of - and NCSA has the information you'll need. Fort Lewis has one conference title in program history, in 1984, as an NAIA school. The official Football Coach List for the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks Skip To Main . Really?. You have to raise a quarter of it.. We recommend switching to Chrome, Firefox, and/or Safari for not only SportsRecruits, but for all websites. Here you will get information about the school and information on their Football program like who to get hold of about recruitment, names of, Assistant Coach (Defensive Coordinator) Spencer Brown, Assistant coach (Special Teams) Justin Fields, Assistant coach (Offensive Coordinator) John Grinde, Recruiting Coordinator, Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs) Emmanuel Jordan Bible, Assistant coach (Defensive Coordinator) Shay McClure, Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers) Virnel Moon, baseball, cycling, hockey, lacrosse, rugby, skiing, soccer, track and field, snowboarding, wrestling, softball. When Fort Lewis College junior Averi Basso was looking for an internship this semester, her adviser suggested that she work the football team, focusing on recruiting compliance. When Smith was hired at Fort Lewis College in the spring of 2013, he was reunited with Hunter, President Dene Thomas and Rifilato. Not included in the pitch: A conversation about the road trips. He was a hard-core team roper, Gomez said. A flag is thrown and Smith screams at Chambers: Get your butt off the field!, Smith grabs Chambers collar and pulls him so close their noses practically touch. I want to go into sports psychology and focus on football the mental health side and the nutritional side, Carlton said. 2022 Fort Lewis Football Schedule (0-10) Print; Subscribe With. Fort Lewis plays its final game of the season on Saturday when it hosts Chadron State. He played college football at Idaho, where he was his team's Defensive Player of the Year in 1983-84 and Long Beach Community College, where he was a preseason All-American. Smiths face turns a deep shade of crimson and his eyes bulge. Athletic scholarships are available for NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NAIA and NJCAA. He received that same message from his uncle, Alan Tsinigine, as he lost his life two months after his mom passed. It just might take longer than anticipated. You are using an incompatible browser. Rifilato's 2005 Skyhawk squad went 6-4 overall and 6-2 in league games. I'm a : A Dan Antolik B Gary Barnett Gus Bradley C Bill Cooke (American football coach) D Kevin Donnalley (American football, born 1958) Tim Driscoll H Scottie Hazelton M Hal McAfee N Jeff Nady P Robert Prince (American football) R Jim Ryan (American football coach) S John L. Smith W Todd Wash Though hes at an age when many men enjoy golfing and spending time with their grandchildren, retirement was not an option. Assistant Coach-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line. This information is very valuable for all high school student-athletes to understand as they start the recruiting process. 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 locker room is too small for everyone to watch film together, and hardly a plush hangout. Led by first-year head coach Ron Hudson, the Mavericks compiled a 37 record (36 against RMAC opponents) and finished seventh in the RMAC. At team dinner the night before Fort Lewis matchup with Colorado Mesa on Oct. 25, Smith tells an assistant this level is, all about spoon-feeding. Most players at Fort Lewis are not football junkies, and they marvel at Smiths knowledge of the tiniest details that can make a big difference. Previously Rifilato was Head Coach at New Mexico Highlands, leading the Cowboys to the RMAC championship and a 7-4 record in 1999. After graduating high school in 2013 I chose to pursue a career as an electrician, working for a private company called Sound Specialized Services for about three . As part of a close-knit family, Gomez said he drew inspiration from some close relatives hes lost, which includes his late grandmother and uncle, who passed away months apart four years ago. She said she likes football, noting that her dad played college ball and her brother plays college football. I have to raise a quarter of it? Smith says. I know the two of them are going to do everything possible to make FLC football as good as we can make it. Choose A Season: Schedule/Results. I apologize! He wraps his arm around his defensive back, tilting his head toward Chambers ear to whisper to the junior that he still loves him. Basso is one of three female interns in the program. Rifilato will remain on the staff as a linebackers coach, and defensive coordinator Joe. Basso, meanwhile, has been tasked with making a poster explaining why she as an athlete chose Fort Lewis. When a teammate interjects to explain the Mesa player said something degrading, Smith waves him off. . If were not the first faces they see, were the second, Carlton said. They both run a pretty tight ship, and all of the athletes are pretty tight-knit, she said. He was going to fix it himself., Long bus rides are just one of the realities of a tight budget. The Skyhawks also narrowly missed qualifying for the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in school history. I'm looking forward to it and my wife is looking forward to it, he said. There are just three direct flights into Durango -- from Denver, Dallas and Phoenix -- so Smith has emphasized recruiting those areas. | Carlton, like Basso, wants to go into sports psychology. 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. John L. Smith has resigned as head football coach from Fort Lewis College, announced today by Director of Athletics Gary Hunter. The CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves finished in second place with an 84 overall record. Cal Christoph (DE) and Harland Patterson (OT) earned All-Evergreen Conference honors . Smith's teams have won six conference championships, including Big Sky titles at Idaho (1989, 1992), Big West crowns at Utah State (1996, 1997) and Conference USA trophies at Louisville (2000, 2001). 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. I want them to catch a few of my games and its only a four-hour drive for them to watch me.. The '05 season marked FLC's first winning season in 20 years. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Problem is, Smith only knows how to coach one way. We look for small things to give the defense an edge so they know what theyre looking for, she said. Terms of Use Cooper Brown was selected as the RMAC Defensive Freshman of the Year.[21]. "I am very honored to take over as the head football coach of Fort Lewis College," said Rifilato.