Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Fort Lewis College Athletics

Scoreboard

Brandon Crosby, Ed Rifilato

Football Brian Kortz

Crosby Named Interim Head Football Coach, Rifilato Back as Defensive Coordinator

DURANGO, Colo. – Brandon Crosby, recently promoted to Associate Head Coach, has been named interim Head Football Coach by Director of Athletics Barney Hinkle effective immediately. In another move, Fort Lewis College will welcome back a familiar face in Ed Rifilato, as he will rejoin the Skyhawks as Defensive Coordinator.

"We're very fortunate to have someone the caliber of Brandon Crosby on staff that can move into this role of interim head coach," Hinkle said. "Brandon's leadership of the Fort Lewis College football program will include a focus on student-athlete success, community involvement and fundraising to go along with his strong coaching background and proven track record in recruiting. In addition, getting the chance to bring someone back that has been a Skyhawk for a majority of his career in Ed Rifilato will only help with the transition of the program moving forward. I'm very pleased that both coaches are excited to move into these roles and propel the Skyhawks football program to new heights."

Crosby joined the Skyhawks in February 2018 as the offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach after spending the previous 14 months at the University of Nevada where he served as a Quarterbacks Quality Control Coach and graduate assistant for receivers.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to lead these young men," Crosby said. "To be a part of such a storied college and wonderful community is a blessing."

Before arriving at Nevada, Crosby was the receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at West Texas A&M for one season. He also spent time at LaGrange College, Saddleback College and at Williamette University.

Crosby received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Organizational Management from Vanguard University in 2011. He also attended Baker University and Saddleback Junior College. During his senior season at Baker, Crosby tallied 58 receptions for 716 yards and nine touchdowns, while also playing special teams.

Crosby's already been instrumental in bringing in Division I transfers Isaac Leppke, Ka'Lonn Milton and Riko Tamasese, along with Division II transfers Terrence Trujillo and Devon Taylor.

Rifilato arrives back in Durango after spending the 2018 season on the staff at Dixie State University. Rifilato has spent 12 total seasons at Fort Lewis College, where on two different occasions, he served as head coach.

"I love Fort Lewis, the community and everything about Durango," Rifilato said. "I'm excited to be back and getting a chance to work with the players, with Brandon and the rest of the coaching staff."

Rifilato first arrived at FLC in 2003, where he served as the head coach and defensive coordinator from 2004-09. He guided the Skyhawks to the postseason for the first time in FLC's 40-year college history (which began in 1963), winning the Dixie Rotary Bowl by defeating host Dixie State, 24-14. That capped a season that saw FLC go 7-4 overall, matching the most wins in a single season. The team just missed out on a trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in school history, after going 6-2 in conference games and defeated every Colorado Division II program for just the second time in school history.

After also spending time as a head coach at New Mexico Highlands University, Rifilato returned to the sidelines at FLC and most recently served as the linebackers coach during the 2017 season. He was also part of John L. Smith's staff, eventually taking his second turn as head coach in December 2015.
 
Print Friendly Version