Rusty Nozoe joined the Lewis & Clark coaching staff in the spring of 2024. He will work alongside defensive coordinator Dan Fields in working with the team's defensive linemen. He will enter his third season in the Fall of 2026.
Nozoe helped Lewis & Clark's defense take a big jump in 2026. The defense moved up to third in the Northwest Conference in points per game allowed (25.4) and yards allowed per game (353.6) and Lewis & Clark held opponents to 21 points or fewer in all six of their wins. The defense combined for 25 sacks and racked up 57 tackles-for-loss and forced 14 turnovers.
In his first season working at his alma mater, the Pioneers improved in sacks (14) and matched their totals for forced fumbles (eight) and fumble recoveries (seven). The Pioneers allowed 21 points or less in three games.
Nozoe was a member of the Pioneers football program for four seasons. After not playing his freshman year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Nozoe appeared in 14 games during his sophomore and junior season and posted 13 tackles. After suffering a season-ending injury before the start of his senior campaign, Nozoe became a student-assistant coach during his senior season and worked with the program's defensive line. The team finished 5-5 and posted their best conference record (4-3) in over a decade.
