The Bearkats' new football coach shows a familiar face at Sam Houston State.
Willie Fritz, who was announced as the new head coach on Dec. 18, worked as a graduate assistant for the football teams in 1984 and 1985. He later served as the secondary and special teams coach in 1991 and 1992, helping to build a prolific special teams reputation that lasted throughout the 90s.
After 13 seasons as head coach of the University of Central Michigan, Fritz left as the winningest coach in the school's history (97-47) with 12 winning seasons. Fritz led Central Michigan to its first post-season appearance in 32 years when it won the 2001 Mineral Water Bowl.
"He is a proven motivator and recruiter," SHSU athletic director Bobby Williams said in an announcement. "I've seen Willie on the sideline, in the locker room, breaking down film, and on the recruiting trail and know first-hand of his work ethic, enthusiasm, integrity and ability."
Fritz was an instant success as a head coach when he took over the struggling Blinn College football program in 1993.
In the three seasons prior to Fritz's arrival, Blinn won a total of five games. Fritz turned the program around in just four seasons, winning two national junior college championships with a 39-5-1 record.
Last Wednesday, Fritz announced that safeties coach Ben Beasley would remain on the SHSU coaching staff as the secondary coach.
Fritz appointed former Central Michigan wide receivers coach Jeff Conway as the recruiting coordinator. Conway will also assume wide receiver coaching duties.
Fritz and Conway worked together as graduate assistants for Sam Houston in the 80s and continued their working relationship at Blinn and Central Michigan.
At the press conference held last month to introduce Fritz as the head coach, Fritz talked about his goals for the Bearkat football program both on and off the field.
"Our number one goal is to be the best students they can be," Coach Fritz said."I can't lose sight of the fact that the number one goal for all of our student-athletes is to get their degree.
"I also want to make sure that I lead the guys in the right direction. I really want to make sure that our guys leave here a better person than when they came in. Last, but not least, we want to make sure we do all these things the right way."
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