-- Coach Cesar Rivas-Sandoval Named Interim Head Football Coach --
DURANGO, CO – January 13th, 2010. – Fort Lewis College Athletic Director Kelly Higgins announced the hiring of Cesar Rivas-Sandoval as the new Interim Head Football Coach for the Skyhawks. Coach Rivas-Sandoval will be replacing Coach Rifilato who resigned after 6 seasons with FLC. Coach Rifilato left Fort Lewis with a 22-41 overall record and 18-32 in the RMAC.
Coach César Rivas-Sandoval recently returned to Fort Lewis this past season to help rebuild the program. He brings 15 years of coaching and playing experience at nearly every level of football, with a strong emphasis on defense and special teams. He has had the privilege of coaching over 20 RMAC All Conference Players, two of which were named RMAC Player of the Year and two that were selected as All Americans.
Before returning to Fort Lewis, Coach Rivas was part of the successful program as Linebackers coach and Special Teams Coordinator at the University of Tennessee Martin (FCS) where the Skyhawks went 8-4 in the OVC with 2 of those losses being against FBS opponents South Florida and Auburn in 2008.
Coach Rivas had his first opportunity to coach at Fort Lewis College during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. As the Defensive Coordinator he helped lead the Skyhawks to their first winning season in over 20 years. During those seasons FLC had a total of 7 All-RMAC Defensive players, one of which went on to be awarded the RMAC Defensive Player of the Year and selected All American, Reed Duvall.
From Athletic Director Kelly Higgins, “Cesar has proven to me he has all the skills it takes to take this program forward. He has excellent leadership skills, a plan, he's sharp, organized, an excellent recruiter, an educator, and is committed to the overall success of the student-athlete both on the field and off at FLC. I expect he will prove that he can take this opportunity and show me why I'll need to remove the interim title this year and help us take FLC Football to a new level of success.”
President Bartel stated, “I'm impressed with his commitment to the model of student-athlete and the skill set he's bringing to the position. He will continue to be a great addition to the FLC community and I know he will do well.”
Coach Rivas earned his degree while playing at the University of California Davis (1995-99) and now currently resides in Durango, Colorado with his wife Jennifer and young daughter Elena of 10 months. He will be the youngest head coach at Fort Lewis College at age 32.
Please contact Sports Information Director Ben Martinez with any questions or comments regarding the hiring of Coach Rivas-Sandoval. You may also go to the FLC Athletic Website (www.goskyhawks.com) for more information.
Thank you,
Ben Martinez
Fort Lewis College Athletics
1000 Rim Dr
Durango, CO 81301
970-247-7441 Office
970-749-6523 Mobile
martinez_b@fortlewis.edu
