He was going to fix it himself., Long bus rides are just one of the realities of a tight budget. Three other men served brief stints as head coach or interim head coach, but accepted other assignments prior to coaching a game at Fort Lewis: Casey Gus Bradley and Robert Prince between the 1995 and '96 seasons and Johnny Cox between the 1999 and 2000 seasons. The official 2023 Football Roster for the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks Skip To Main . When I was younger I used to travel with him to rodeos and I wanted to be a cowboy. 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. We do not support Internet Explorer. Football: Fort Lewis vs. Western Colorado - Postgame Interview with FLC We have full confidence that Coach Rifilato will continue to grow the program successfully." Staff Directory Members By Category/Department; Name Title Email Office (970) Twitter; Johnny Cox: Head Coach-Quarterbacks jcox@fortlewis.edu: 247-7306 247-7306 In the end, it might also be the most rewarding. Thanks for visiting the Fort Lewis College Football scholarship and program information page. Though hes at an age when many men enjoy golfing and spending time with their grandchildren, retirement was not an option. Of the two sports, Gomez says he doesnt favor one over the other. Its one of the most beautiful places Ive seen, and meeting the girls on the team, it was just such a positive environment.. Defensive coordinator Ed Rifilato has been promoted to head coach. Led by first-year head coach Ron Hudson, the Mavericks compiled a 37 record (36 against RMAC opponents) and finished seventh in the RMAC. You need your profile to showcase all of your academic and athletic achievements, and be able to instantly connect to college coaches who are interested. Basso is one of three female interns in the program. "We appreciate John L.'s hard work in the Skyhawks football program the past two years," said Hunter. Now, Morris says, I finally have something to sell.. 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. All four losses this season came at the hands of nationally ranked teams. Cherry Creek's Blake Purchase named 2022-23 Gatorade Colorado Football Player of the Year 12.16.22 All-State football teams for the 2022 season You can also ask your parents to call us Defensive coordinator Ed Rifilato will continue to oversee day-to-day operations until Smith arrives on campus. It was tough on me and when that all happened sports took affect in my life, he said. The 2022 Fort Lewis Skyhawks football team represented Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, during the 2022 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) football season. Since that epiphany, Gomez said hes been working hard to fulfill his aspirations. Unlike at Division I, where football coaches are often isolated from the rest of the athletic department, Smith interacts with coaches and administrators on a daily basis. Other coaches in the school's history include Wayne J. McConnell, Jim Gilstrap, James J. Yeager, and former Kansas Governor Andrew Frank Schoeppel. Send Message, John Sandoval 2023 Football Roster - Fort Lewis College Athletics I didnt know there were so many ways to do it.. Were due. Fort Lewis does exactly that the next night, taking a kick 75 yards for a touchdown in a 28-20 win. Football is more complex.. Page athlete to follow passion on Fort Lewis football team But Im learning to be., Midway through the second quarter at Mesa, Fort Lewis defensive back Theo Chambers gets mixed up with an opponent and some recess-level shoving ensues. Lewis - a veteran coach of over 25 years in the National Football League - and Pierce teamed up to coach an aggressive and opportunistic Sun Devil defense last season. 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. That is why I took sports so serious.. Smith is probably best known for his head coaching stint before this one, when he took over at Arkansas after Bobby Petrino was fired in April 2012 following a motorcycle accident and the revelation of his affair with a woman who worked in the athletic department. 3 followers 3 connections Ironically, attending Fort Lewis wasn't even on his radar at all. Defensive coordinator Ed Rifilato has been promoted to head coach. The following players were selected as first-team players on the 2022 All-RMAC football team. NC State football coach Dave Doeren received a one-year contract extension through the 2027 . When the clock wound down on a 23-22 Fort Lewis win, the players had no idea how to celebrate. This is the Fort Lewis College (Colorado) Football scholarship and program information page. Send Message, Sebastian DeMartini Most recently, he was a member of the Fort Lewis football staff since March 2018. . The Fort Lewis College Department of Athletics announced Wednesday that Darrius G. Smith has stepped down as head football coach, effective immediately. I have some little brothers and they mean the world to me. Ever since he was a little kid we noticed that he an athletic ability., He always had that potential in him, she said. The official Football Coach List for the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks Skip To Main . [62] With Brown as defensive coordinator, the Skyhawks gave up an average of 60.7 points per game. A few of those offers were football scholarships from Texas and California, and as far as Minnesota. Were blessed to have him and were really proud of him. We were way further behind than I realized. John L. Smith brings big-time coaching experience to small Fort Lewis He started working for the Navajo Times in February 2010 and was promoted to the Sports Editor position at the end of summer in 2012. 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. The region that treats football as a religion regularly churns out prospects bigger, faster and tougher than the rest. Ed Rifilato resigns as head coach of Fort Lewis College football I left my visit thinking this is the place Im supposed to be for college, Basso said. Search for colleges, create a recruiting resume and connect with any college coach in the country in just a few clicks with SportsRecruits. 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. We want our football alumni and fans to have the opportunity to enjoy that same success. Football - Fort Lewis College Athletics Fort Lewis' first 'student-athlete' - The Durango Herald Basso is one of three female interns in the program. 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. In cross-country and track, all the coaches do is tell you to go run. The return to Fayetteville did not go well. Benjamin G. Hammond - 126th Year of Minor League Football I want to go into sports psychology and focus on football the mental health side and the nutritional side, Carlton said. 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. 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.. | When I did the workouts during the summers, I really didnt think of them as work., Quentin Jodie is the Sports Editor for the Navajo Times. Head Coach-Quarterbacks . Most college Football coaches dont respond to unsolicited emails. Had he waited around, Division I assistant offers likely would have flooded in. It really came down to my parents and my family, Gomez said. Weve seen it in him since we started him with T-ball and then he played city league. Skyhawks get their seasons rolling - The Durango Herald CSU Pueblo defensive tackle Trey Botts was selected as the RMAC Defensive Player of the Year.[21]. Dont worryNCSA is | Live. This is the Fort Lewis College (Colorado) Football scholarship and program information page. Fort Lewis College Football Scholarships Guide - NCSASports.org 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 . Here you will get information about the school and information on their Football program like who to get hold of about recruitment, names of past alumni, what scholarship opportunities can be had and how to begin the recruiting process. 21 Colorado School of Mines Rolls to 84-10 Win Over Adams State", "CSU Pueblo football tripped up at No. Thanks for visiting the Fort Lewis College Football scholarship and program information page. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. 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. There are just three direct flights into Durango -- from Denver, Dallas and Phoenix -- so Smith has emphasized recruiting those areas. If you are interested in getting recruited by Fort Lewis College Football, you should get to know more about the school, what academic programs are offered, and important members of the coaching staff - these are the people you need to connect with. Its been a total education for everyone involved.. Send Message, Justin Fields They have two daughters, Gabriella and Katherine. I'm just thankful that they've provided me the opportunity to do this. Date RMAC Opponent Location Time/Result; 9/10/2022 Arizona Christian University . Natural Resources Conservation and Research. The official Roster for the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks. Head Football Coach - Fort Lewis College - LinkedIn In their first year under head coach Miles Kochevar, the Mavericks compiled a 46 record (36 against RMAC opponents) and finished sixth in the RMAC. In fact, in 50 years as a four-year college, Fort Lewis has posted winning records just 10 times. 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 The playoffs are already out of reach, as the Skyhawks have dropped three of their last four to fall to 3-7. Fort Lewis College on the RMAC Network | Live and On-Demand Video Streaming from Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference We keep their packets together and take them on tours. In the South, players like when coaches holler and yell and stomp their feet. At the same time, we are happy that he and his wife Di will be returning home to the Louisville area and will be near their three children and grandchildren. At Division II you charter buses. He chose Fort Lewis based on its close proximity to his familys home in LeChee, Arizona. I thought it was going to be intimidating, but it has been awesome, Basso said. 2012, Went 4-8 as interim head coach at Arkansas, taking over after Bobby Petrino was fired. When I was at Utah State [from 1995-97], one night we didnt have working lights on the practice field, so I told everyone to go get their cars, point them at the field and turn on their lights. 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. Like most athletes, Gomez said injuries are a byproduct of playing sports. On a long, windy trip along Red Mountain Pass -- one of the most dangerous highways in the world -- toward Grand Junction, Smith points out the ski resort formerly known as Purgatory, a popular cold-weather vacation destination. Getting familiar with the Football program is an important first step in the recruiting process. Leverage our data to see the big picture and know where you stand. Returning to the Rocky Mountains was also important to Smith, who is an avid outdoorsman. We really want to get them here.. The city of Durango itself, she said, is a big reason she chose Fort Lewis. Puzzled fans in the stands turned to Smiths wife, Di, and asked, What do we do now? Born in Islip, N.Y., Rifilato was raised in Bells Gardens, Calif. 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). 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 | His junior year, he played with a cast for a good part of the football season as he shattered his left hand. For the best experience, we recommend, start your free recruiting profile with SportsRecruits today. Smiths face turns a deep shade of crimson and his eyes bulge. There are high schools in Texas, Smith says, with more resources than us.. On average, 34% of all student-athletes receive athletic scholarships. He had served as NMHU's defensive coordinator from 1996-98. The Skyhawks notched seven wins this past season, including six in conference games (7-4, 6-3 RMAC). The second two videos are from The Rivalry (Neon yellow head band and purple stick). At first there were lots of questions and confusion about why he was at our school. Nevada Football Head Coach Ken Wilson announces two additions to Now called the Durango Mountain Resort, its a stop on the Fort Lewis recruiting tour. We dont really have donors. Im not a patient person. Also included is the Durango Train, which runs between Durango and Silverton and staked its claim to fame with an appearance in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Previously Rifilato was Head Coach at New Mexico Highlands, leading the Cowboys to the RMAC championship and a 7-4 record in 1999. 2023 Football Coaching Staff. I want to be another helping hand.. Staff Directory - Fort Lewis College Athletics Visit ESPN to view the Fort Lewis Skyhawks team schedule for the current and previous seasons. 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. All Ive been doing is just grinding day-in and day-out, he said. 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. Microsoft no longer supports most versions of Internet Explorer, since it released Microsoft Edge in 2015. 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. Lewis is in his third year with ASU after originally joining Edwards' staff as special advisor to Sun Devil Football on May 28, 2019. 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. profile and get matched with the right choices. The first two videos are from President's Cup (I am the one with the blue head band shooting). Durango, CO, Division: Hunter said that Smith is a proven winner, not just on the gridiron, but in terms of the academic success of his student-athletes. Send Message, John Grinde Were sorry, you have to be 13 years old Its a good challenge for him.. Rifilato was Defensive Coordinator at his alma mater, University of Idaho, in 2000 and 2001, and also coached on John L Smith's staff at Louisville. At one point Morris picked up three prospects in Phoenix and drove them seven hours to Durango for a campus visit. The Fort Lewis College Department of Athletics announced Wednesday that Darrius G. Smith has stepped down as head football coach, effective immediately. Almost immediately, Fort Lewis athletic director Gary Hunter saw an opportunity. We are extremely fortunate to have a coach with the tremendous background and experience that John L. brings to Fort Lewis College, said Hunter. NCSA athlete's Meet 2022 NFL Draft Prospect Devon Taylor, OG, Fort Lewis College My cowboy boots wouldnt have worked in Florida, he says. Its just crazy to see that this day has finally come.. But after the mess in Arkansas that included a bad season -- Smith says he is still close with Petrino -- and a $40 million bankruptcy filing (he was discharged of debt in a settlement last September) that dragged out painfully and publicly over several months, Fort Lewis felt safe. I worked really hard to do both sports, he continued. He seems to be only half kidding. Football Coaching Staff. RSVPs to Wayne Barger would be appreciated. Fort Hays State Tigers - Wikipedia The Skyhawks have never been one of them. Upload or embed from Hudl, Vimeo, Youtube and more. This information is very valuable for all high school student-athletes to understand as they start the recruiting process. here for you as soon as you turn 13. No matter how far out it is, I believe in talking about it now. Public transportation serves campus. I love how different it is, De La Cruz said. [2] [3] High School career [ edit] Smith, 65, was once a marquee name in big-time college football. They told me that it could be a possibility, he said. It made him stronger., Gomezs dad said those injuries were a blessing in disguise., He learned a lot about himself and I think those injuries happed for a reason, he said. Transportation has been one of the most dramatic changes for Smith during this experience. Like most football coaches, Smith loves recruiting the South. 89. The Colorado Mines Orediggers won the RMAC championship with a 92 record (90 against conference opponents), led the conference in both scoring offense (46.86 points per game) and scoring defense (18.64 points per game), and was ranked No. He's one of my all-time greatest player/friends, said Smith. I always pictured them watching over me. | John L. Smith has resigned as head football coach from Fort Lewis College, announced today by Director of Athletics Gary Hunter. 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. In July 2022, Spencer Brown was appointed as the team's new defensive coordinator. Im hoping to learn how a football team is run; what offensive and defensive coordinators do and how to be a head coach.. Its been a great environment to work in.. If you are interested in getting recruited by Fort Lewis Colleges Football program, start your free recruiting profile with SportsRecruits today. Yes. Search by athletic, academic, and geographic criteria to find your dream school. 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. vs 7-Seed Regis University. 2022 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football season Hes not mellow, thats for sure.. 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. Connect with every college coach in the country and commit to your dream school! Players there are just different, he says. Football Coaches - Fort Lewis College Athletics Tickets Men's Basketball vs 3-Seed #16/12 Black Hills State University March 3, 2023 7:30 PM. . 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. Fort Lewis College is making a commitment to football, said Hunter. Fort Lewis Football | News, Scores, Highlights, Injuries, Stats The 2022 Colorado Mesa Mavericks football team represented Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado, during the 2022 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football season. Fort Lewis Skyhawks (@FLCSkyhawks) / Twitter That is when I told my parents that I wanted to play college ball.. He adds it could also mark the beginning of a slow descent into insanity. She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes and shaking her head with a smile. The official 2023 Football Roster for the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks. Do we go on the field? Maybe I need to relax.. 2022 Fort Lewis Football Schedule - Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Category:Fort Lewis Skyhawks football coaches - Wikipedia Now as times are changing, theres a possibility I could coach with my daughters. Fort Lewis plays its final game of the season on Saturday when it hosts Chadron State. If I did that here, people might quit. Its an evolution., Still, many often wonder why he took a Division II gig in the first place. (Cody Olivas/Durango Herald), What Silvertons snowpocalypse teaches us about winter weather preparation in rural Colorado, Report a paper delivery issue/suspend delivery. Terms of Use By taking advantage of this extensive network, more than 92 percent of NCSA verified athletes play at the college level. Choose A Season: Schedule/Results. Visit ESPN to view the Fort Lewis Skyhawks team schedule for the current and previous seasons The new Skyhawk skipper the 12th head football coach in FLC history agreed with Hunter. Im originally from Oklahoma, and football is a big part of life down there, she said. His infamous halftime rants -- found easily on YouTube -- made players at Fort Lewis wonder what they had gotten themselves into. Bring friends, family, fun! Football: Fort Lewis vs. Colorado Mesa - Postgame Interview with FLC Many of our other programs have reached the pinnacle of success at the national and regional levels. If you cant quickly find and message any college coach you want, then youre not solving your biggest problem in getting recruited for Football. Questions? Hung above the fireplace, in a spot usually reserved for a portrait of Jesus, was another man deemed worthy of worship: Former Alabama coach Bear Bryant. Lewis . When I was playing sports I really didnt think about their deaths. Rifilato played for Smith at Idaho and served as his director of football operations at Louisville. 2022 Fort Lewis Skyhawks Schedule | ESPN When I first got here, I thought by the end of year two, wed have this thing turned around, he says. We apologize for this inconvenience and invite you to return as soon as you turn 13. He received his master's degree in physical education from Montana in 1974. Under head coach Johnny Cox, the Grizzlies compiled a 010 record (09) against conference opponents) and finished last in the RMAC. If were not the first faces they see, were the second, Carlton said. Smith graduated from Weber State in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. 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. Besides his grandmother and uncle, Gomez lost an older brother, Lexie Sheppard, while he was growing up. Coach John L. Smith will be introduced to the campus and Durango communities. 2 Colorado State-Pueblo thanks to the performance of junior receiver Jordan Gillen, who caught a touchdown pass and threw another when the Skyhawks ran a flea flicker with 3:46 remaining. A native of Idaho Falls, Idaho, Smith married the former Diana Flora on August 15, 1970. Rivas-Sandoval announced his resignation as head coach a week ago. Fort Lewis (enrollment: 3,800) plays in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, a league dominated by track and field talent with a few football powers sprinkled in. 2022 Fort Lewis Football Schedule (0-10) Print; Subscribe With. Marvin Lewis - Football Coach - Arizona State University Athletics Winning a conference title seems ludicrous given the lack of resources, but Smith tells his players its possible. Fort Lewis Panthers (1957-58) / Seattle Ramblers (1959) Center / Noseguard . Fort Lewis Football Week 14 Amway Coaches Poll Timothy Rapp. In their 11th season under head coach Jay Long, the Eagles compiled a 38 record (36 against conference opponents) and finished eighth in the RMAC. The locker room is too small for everyone to watch film together, and hardly a plush hangout. Fort Lewis A&M's Ray Dennison in September 1955, shortly before an on-field collision in Trinidad that led to his death. If anyone wants to send us money, its welcome., The recruiting budget is practically nonexistent. search for recruits on NCSA's platform 741,611 times in 2021. Business, Sports and Entertainment Management/Marketing, Other. 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. The win over Pueblo gives him reassurance the Skyhawks, and their self-image, are trending up. Fort Lewis Football Week 13 Predictions for Every Game Kerry Miller. Additional essential staff include: 362-acre campus in Durango (population: 13,922), 174 miles from Grand Junction.