Rapid Reaction: What They Are Saying About Willie Fritz
Dec 15, 2015 | Football
Rapid Reaction: What They Are Saying About Willie Fritz:
Archie Manning, NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback, New Orleans Saints:
“I think Tulane has made a great hire. Willie has a very impressive background and I have enjoyed getting to know him over the past few years. Willie has great leadership skills and a really good philosophy so he will definitely be a great for Tulane. He is capable of coming in and building something strong at Tulane.”
Dennis Hickey, General Manager, Miami Dolphins:
“Tulane hit a home run hiring Willie Fritz. I have known Coach Fritz for over 20 years having played for him, coached with him, and scouted his players for the NFL. Willie is a special coach and person with a unique gift for developing and bringing out the best in young men both on and off the field. He has a track record of developing NFL-ready players at every level that he has coached. He is a ‘winner’ who has always done it the right way and has a proven track record of success at every level at which he has coached.”
Greg McMahon, Special Teams Coordinator, New Orleans Saints:
“The big thing about Coach Fritz is he has a proven track record. At every level, whether it's junior college, Division II, FCS or FBS, his programs have always won. He is involved in all phases of the game. I just think he has done a great job as a head coach.”
Ron Randelman, Former Head Coach, Sam Houston State (Coached Fritz at Pittsburgh State):
“Willie was like a coach on the field for me as a four-year starter at Pittsburg State,” Coach Randleman said. “I just think the world of him and am proud that he was on my coaching staff not once, but twice. He has a tremendous work ethic, he played hard, and he coaches the same way. Willie has a great rapport with his players and they respect him.”
Dick Foster, Former Head Football Coach, Coffeeville Community College:
“I knew immediately when I interviewed him that I wanted to hire Willie,” said Coach Dick Foster, a charter member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Football Hall of Fame. “He’s a talented person and I’ve followed his career closely, from Central Missouri and to Blinn where he coached two national championships, to what he has done at Sam Houston State. He has all the qualities needed for the challenge in front of him – he’s an excellent technician, an outstanding recruiter, very organized with his coaching and support staff and his student-athletes enjoy playing for him.”
Bobby Williams, Director of Athletics, Sam Houston State University:
“Willie is a great friend. He and I worked together as coaches back in the 1980s here at Sam Houston State, and then he replaced me as the defensive backs coach when I moved into administration. So I worked with him as a coach and as an assistant athletic director, and then I was fortunate enough to be able to hire him as our head coach. All three times he was a part of our program, we won championships. We had a great run with him as a head coach. He's a winner, and he's an even better person.”
David Pierce, Head Baseball Coach, Tulane (worked with Coach Fritz at Sam Houston State):
“I think Willie is the best, and he is exactly what Tulane needs. He's going to bring a winning attitude. He's won wherever he's been. The players, the community, the administrative staff and the university will love him. I think he is an exceptional hire, and he is a guy people will be proud of.”
