THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The California Lutheran University football staff has three new additions as Richard Brown, Michael DiFiori and Noah Sutherland were hired in the fall of 2021.
Each coach brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the program. From playing to coaching, the trio has seen all the ranks of the coaching landscape.
Brown, DiFiori and Sutherland are excited to work with the student-athletes, and the tradition that is, Kingsmen football.
Brown joins Kingsmen football as the Recruiting Coordinator and will coach the secondary. Brown has developed a successful coaching resume over the past nine years on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He has a successful track record, coaching defensive backs and wide receivers, at the high school and collegiate level. Brown is a highly motivated and efficient coach with vast knowledge in principles of sports-specific training, day-to-day football operations, team personal management, and extended ability to maintain a positive relationship and educate student athletes.
A native of Southern California, Brown played collegiately in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) at Western Illinois. He graduated from Western Illinois with a degree in General Studies with a minor in marketing.
DiFiori was hired as the Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach. He is entering his 30th year of coaching, and has spent the last 22 at Bishop Amat Memorial High School. He gained experience along his journey working at La Salle High School (offensive coordinator, 2006-07), Bishop Amat Memorial (1999-2005, head coach), Temple City High School (1996-99, head coach), Bishop Amat Memorial (1992-96, defensive coordinator) and Saint Mary's College (1991-92, outside linebackers coach).
DiFiori is a graduate of Concord De La Salle High School. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in biology and a Master's in education from the University of California, Davis, where he also played football.
Sutherland is familiar face in the Cal Lutheran football community and is the Offensive Run Game Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach. He previously worked at Cal Lutheran from 2017-19, with the tight ends and offensive line.
In between his time at Cal Lutheran, Sutherland was at Northern Arizona University where he was the offensive assistant and coached the offensive line. He coached three All-Big Sky selections. In 2019, the offense was first in the Football Championship Series (FCS), fifth in total offense, 10th in scoring offense and 23rd in sacks allowed.
Before Sutherland got into coaching, he played football at UCLA from 2003-07. He started 23 games at offensive tackle and guard and also saw playing time at defensive tackle and tight end. He was a member of the Leadership Council his junior and senior season.
The Kingsmen start the season at home on Sept. 4 with Southwestern (Texas) at 7 p.m.
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
