A college football coach with Coffeyville ties is preparing for his first season in the Big 12.

 

Willie Fritz was named the 16th Head Coach of the Houston Cougars in December, looking to guide Houston towards the top of one of the nation's elite conferences.

 

Fritz says every program has a different set of specific strengths.

 

Fritz served as the Coffeyville defensive coordinator from 1987 to 1990, and recently spoke as the commencement speaker at the 2024 graduation ceremony.

 

He says he's excited to return to Kansas during the football season.

 

Fritz won two Coach of the Year awards at Tulane, leading a rebuild of the Green Wave to one of the nation's top Group of 5 teams. He says he's looking to utilize the local talent across Texas.

 

Fritz and the Cougars begin the 2024 season against UNLV on August 31st.