Charlie Rizzio was named Head Football Coach at Cisco College in February 2024 after spending the previous season as the Wranglers' defensive coordinator. Rizzio brings over fifteen years of coaching experience to the Hill, with over a decade of that spent at the collegiate level.

Now in his second season leading the Cisco College football team, Rizzio expects a strong nucleus of returners and a solid incoming recruiting class to propel the Wranglers forward in 2025.

Rizzio's first season at the helm saw Cisco College finish 4-5 (4-4 in SWJCFC play). On September 21, 2024, he secured his first win as a head coach, with the Wranglers defeating Trinity Valley Community College on a walk-off sack. Rizzio went on to guide Cisco to an appearance in the Southwest Junior College Football Conference Playoffs, marking only the third time of such an occurence in program history. The Wranglers finished third-overall in the SWJCFC, after being picked to finish eighth in the pre-season coaches' poll. 

As defensive coordinator, Rizzio helped the Wranglers to a .500 finish in 2023. Five Cisco College defensive players garnered All-SWJCFC honors, including Daniel Anenih (DE) who earned a first-team nod. 

Rizzio began his coaching career at Oxford High School in Oxford, CT. From 2008-2013, Rizzio served as the Defensive Coordinator, Head Track & Field Coach, and Strength & Conditioning Coordinator for the Wolverines. 

After six years at the high school level, Rizzio took an opportunity to join the staff at West Texas A&M University (DII) as an offensive graduate assistant. He mentored the Buffalo running backs for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, coaching a First-Team All-Lone Star Conference player in the former. While in Canyon, Rizzio recruited Dallas, Houston, and Austin, as well as Arizona junior colleges. 

In July 2016, Rizzio returned home to become the Defensive Line Coach at Southern Connecticut State University (DII) in New Haven. That fall, he tutored a freshman defensive lineman to a Northeast Ten All-Rookie Team selection. In addition to his on-the-field duties, Rizzio was in charge of recruiting junior colleges nationwide. 

Rizzio rejoined the Lone Star Conference in January 2017, becoming the Defensive Line Coach at Eastern New Mexico University (DII). While in Portales, he helped guide the Greyhounds to 8-2 record, and a third-place finish in the LSC.

In 2018, Rizzio journeyed back to Connecticut, joining the staff at Yale University (FCS) as Defensive and Special Teams Analyst. He also served as the Bulldogs' Video Coordinator.

Rizzio spent the 2019 season as a Defensive Analyst at the University of Nevada (FBS). While in Reno, he worked with Defensive Coordinator Jeff Casteel and the linebackers.

From 2020-22, Rizzio served as the Linebackers at Missouri Western State University (DII) in Saint Joseph, Missouri. During his two seasons at MWSU he mentored three All-MIAA linebackers. Linebacker Evan Chohon finished top-five nationally in tackles for the 2021 season, earning a nomination for the Harlon Hill Trophy, the DII equivalent for the Heisman Trophy.

Rizzio is originally from Seymour, Connecticut. He graduated from Assumption College (Worcester, MA) in 2006 with a Bachelor's in Computer Science. 

RECORD:

Overall: 4-5

2024: 4-5, * (*Finished 3rd in SWJCFC)

THE RIZZIO FILE:

TOTAL: 18 YEARS

2008-13: Oxford High School (CT, S), Defensive Coordinator/Head Track & Field Coach

2014-15: West Texas A&M University (DII), Offensive Graduate Assistant (RB)

2016: Southern Connecticut State University (DII), Defensive Line Coach

2017: Eastern New Mexico (DII), Defensive Line Coach

2018: Yale University (FCS), Defensive Analyst

2019: University of Nevada (FBS), Defensive Analyst (LB)

2020-22: Missouri Western State University (DII), Linebackers Coach

2023: Cisco College (NJCAA), Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach

2024-Present: Cisco College (NJCAA), Head Football Coach