Longtime Brother Rice football coach says one more season
Posted:
Updated:
By Ryan Ermanni Fox 2 News
BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (WJBK) -- It was an announcement that many knew was coming sooner rather than later, but on Saturday the all-time winningest coach in the State of Michigan in high school football history made it official. Next season will be Al Fracassa's 45th and final year on the sidelines leading Brother Rice.
"I just love the game so much that maybe instead of going on vacation and sitting on my butt, why not be active still as much as I can and see if I can do it one more year," he remarked.
44 years at one school and so many memories -- 416 wins and eight state tournament championships, including back-to-back in 2011 and 2012.
Fracassa said he holds something about each team very special, but perhaps one of his favorite teams was one that had a losing record.
"It was not a winning season. I lost one game too much. They were a bunch of great kids that gave all they had, and that's what a coach's job is. If he has a bunch of boys that give a hundred percent, that give themselves totally, you're a winner," he told me.
Fracassa stayed so many years at Brother Rice not because he couldn't go anywhere else. Monte Clark offered a position to coach for the Lions. He was also offered the offensive coordinator position at Michigan State twice and turned it down to stay in Birmingham.
"I just never wanted to leave. If I had to do it over again, I'd probably be a high school football coach," he said.
Fracassa does have some advice for the next coach that takes over.
"He's going to have to keep the tradition going. That's all I'll tell him."
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 8:10 PM EDT2013-06-12 00:10:44 GMT
In a combined effort between police units from Auburn Hills, Troy and Bloomfield Township, officers were cracking down on aggressive driving Tuesday, including speeding, tailgating and improper lane changes.
In a combined effort between police units from Auburn Hills, Troy and Bloomfield Township, officers were cracking down on aggressive driving Tuesday, including speeding, tailgating and improper lane changes.
Monday, June 3 2013 7:42 AM EDT2013-06-03 11:42:33 GMT
The average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline in metro Detroit has topped $4, according to the myFOXDetroit.com Gas Tracker. So what's behind the latest increase?
The average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline in metro Detroit has topped $4, according to the myFOXDetroit.com Gas Tracker. So what's behind the latest increase?
Monday, June 3 2013 6:14 AM EDT2013-06-03 10:14:00 GMT
The nation's leading Arab-American advocacy group has suspended the longtime head of its Michigan office while it investigates allegations that he sexually harassed a number of female staffers.
The nation's leading Arab-American advocacy group has suspended the longtime head of its Michigan office while it investigates allegations that he sexually harassed a number of female staffers, including now-state Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:26:37 GMT
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:52:15 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults, as the clock ticked before lawmakers break for the summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
