Football

Tony Caviglia
Phone: (559) 443-8532
Email: tony.caviglia@fresnocitycollege.edu
 
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Welcome to Fresno City College football. My name is Coach Tony Caviglia and I want to take this opportunity to introduce you to our football program.

We implement multiple offensive, defensive and special team systems. Our players will have to learn all the skills needed to make a successful transition to a 4-year colleges.

Offensively our linemen must be skilled pass blockers as well as run blockers for our run/pass ratio is 50/50. We will utilize two backs 50% of the time and the other 50% we are 3 or 4 wide receivers and one back. Our philosophy on offense is balance. We want to spread the ball around to all our skilled position players and make the defenses try to defend them all.

Defensively, we are an attacking gap control defense. We are a zone team 65% of the time and the other 35% is some form of man-to-man defense. We like to attack offensives using a variety of alignments and we want to pressure them into bad plays. We like to play 8 or 9 defensive linemen during the game, and at times 5 or 6 defensive backs. Depth on defense is a primary goal so we can stay fresh for 4 quarters.

Our kicking game is emphasized to a great extent. Our kick off-team's average return is to the 39-yard line and we have blocked over 100 kicks or punts in 20 years. We expect our kicking game to be not only sound, but to win games.

Our program philosophy is to 'transfer all our players to 4-year colleges or universities'. Everything we do in our football program is to prepare our players for that next level. Our academic program provides the support and teaches skills to each player so that he can compete successfully in the classroom. The skills we teach academically and in football make the transition to the 4-year college smoother for our players.

We have been highly successful meeting our goals. Our 24 year regular season record is '187-77' and many of our players are receiving football scholarships. Please notice the List of Fresno City College Ram Football players and where they have signed.

Thank you for taking the time to read about our program. Please call or email me if you have any questions or have an interest in Ram football.

Q & A With Tony Caviglia

What is Tony Caviglia's philosophy of coaching?

Football, in a way, teaches some of the skills needed to succeed in life. Our program teaches young men how to work hard to achieve success. Also, we will learn how to accept responsibility and be accountable for their actions. Football is a very tough game; and to be good you must work very hard. And that's what it takes to succed in life.

Who is the role model that inspired you to become a football coach?

I think my father was a role model. He has given me the guidance through my life to reach my goals and be the best I can be. In regards to football, my high school coach Al Vermeil (brother of former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Dick Vermeil), was very instrumental in turning my direction to the game. I think he is one of the persons in my life that kept me on the straight and narrow by guiding me towards football.

What are your team goals?

1. Goal number one is to be a class team with unity and character.
2. Our second goal is for our student-athletes to get enough units to transfer to a four-year college whether or not they need an associate degree.
3. Our third goal is to win the Valley Conference championship, the state championship and the national championship.

Our first two goals have nothing to do with winning or losing. It's about attitudes and the team as a whole as well as the importance of academics.

What is the common goal of your coaching staff?

Number one, we're committed to helping our football players as student-athletes go on to four-year colleges. Each coach is committed to doing that through the academic and athletic progress of each player. 

Getting your college degree is our number 1 priority and mission!  Playing football well will hopefully get it paid for!

What work ethic do you expect from your team on and off the playing field?

We have three rules for players to live by and these rules can be applied to the classroom, their job, relationships, and definitely to the football program.

• Be on time, all the time.  Really, if you are on time you are probably late.  So be early! 
• Do your best and a little bit more. We expect our players to work hard and give everything they've got, even when they don't feel like it. Having a positive attitude and great effort is expected.
• Treat others with respect.  As you wish to be treated!

If they can learn to do these three things, they're going to have a chance to be successful in life.

As a parent, if you had a son who was a potential candidate to play at FCC, what would be the key selling point(s) over other community colleges?

I've been to a lot of community colleges, and I've recruited community colleges when I was at the four-year level. Fresno City College has the best mix of academics and athletics of any college in the state.

The support we receive from our College President, our Assistant Dean of Athletics, Dr. Derrick Johnson, and the other administrators on campus is phenomenal. This is a great place for student-athletes to come into a situation where they're going to be given the opportunity to excel academically and athletically. Athletic counseling for our football players is at a high standing. 

Our tutoring and academic support system at Fresno City College's Learning Resource Center are second to none in the state of California. 

What is your opinion of the local high school talent?

I think the Central Valley is one of the best regions of football in the state. The talent we have available to us at Fresno City College is tremendous. The players are well coached and prepared. That in itself is a testament to the level of coaching we have in our high schools. Because of this we get players that are ready to take on college football.

What can you say about the strength of the Valley Conference?

The Valley Conference is one of the toughest, if not the toughest conference, in the state. We are one of three conferences in northern California that have the ability to win the State Championship.   I predict that Valley Conference play this year will be a dogfight every week.