Golden Eagles Remove Interim Tag as Fritze is Elevated to Head Coach

CROOKSTON, Minn. - University of Minnesota Crookston Director of Athletics Stephanie Helgeson announced the hiring of Mike Fritze as head football coach for the Golden Eagles, dropping the interim title he was given July 15. Fritze, hired as defensive coordinator in January, was named interim head coach after Paul Miller announced his leave of absence due to health concerns.

“We are very excited to be able to keep Mike Fritze on as head coach of our football program,” Helgeson said. “Coach Fritze displayed tremendous leadership of the program last season and has a lot of respect from the student-athletes and the rest of the athletic department staff. The team was very competitive in many games last season and picked up wins against two of our biggest rivals. We are excited to maintain consistency and see the program continue to improve under Coach Fritze’s leadership.”

In his one season as interim head coach, Fritze led the Golden Eagles to a 2-9 record, including bringing home the Hubcap Trophy and the State Farm Traveling Trophy with wins over rivals Bemidji State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead. The win over BSU snapped a 14-game losing streak against the Beavers, while the win over the Dragons ended a four-game losing streak.

“I feel tremendously honored to be offered this position,” Fritze said. “I am grateful to the search committee, Director of Athletics Steph Helgeson, and Chancellor Fred Wood for the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and caring football staff, an integrity-driven athletic department, and a campus that focuses on the total development of a student-athlete. I look forward to continuing to be a part of this wonderful school and community.”

Prior to his arrival at UMC, Fritze spent the previous 32 years at Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley, Minn., where he was the head football coach for 18 seasons. Prior to his promotion to head coach, Fritze served as an assistant coach on former UMC coach Paul Miller’s staff from 1981-94. Fritze was a part of Miller’s state championship teams in 1986 and 1993. In 2012, Fritze led the Eagles to an 8-3 record and their first state playoff berth since 1993 when they won the state championship under Miller. Fritze was named the St. Paul Pioneer Press Coach of the Year after leading Apple Valley to state in 2012.

In addition to coaching football, Fritze was also the head boy’s basketball coach and an assistant track and field coach. He coached a combined 103 seasons between the three sports at Apple Valley High School. He led the Eagle basketball program to two state tournament appearances in six seasons as head coach and coached many successful players including highly acclaimed recruit Tyus Jones, who recently committed to Duke University to continue his basketball career.

Fritze and his wife Kris have three grown kids who live in the Twin Cities, as does one grandson. Fritze is originally from Hayfield, Minn., and is a graduate of Winona State University.

The Golden Eagles had a very young team in 2013, with true freshman quarterback Kyle Larson (QB, Clayton, Wis./Health Science) leading the ship and passing for nearly 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns. Sophomore running back Talo Pascal (Arlington, Texas/Communications) also showed signs in 2013, rushing for 423 yards while freshman receiver Forrest Dunivin (Las Flores, Calif./Aviation) had 23 receptions to lead the team and fellow freshman Keoni Piceno (WR, Wahiawa, Hawai’i) led the team with 333 yards receiving and five touchdowns.

Defensively, senior Tevin Kellum (DB, Detroit, Mich./Criminal Justice) led the team with 88 tackles en route to an All-NSIC North Honorable Mention selection while Andrew Hall (Jr., LB, Detroit, Mich./Criminal Justice) had 79 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss as he was named to the All-NSIC North Second Team. Returning with Hall on the defensive side will be junior linebacker Brody Davidson (Crookston, Minn./Communications) had 70 tackles with seven tackles for loss, along with junior defensive end Greg Lofquist (Jr., DL, South St. Paul, Minn./Criminal Justice), who had 46 tackles.

 For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.