Bearkats ready for signing day Wednesday
2/1/2010 12:19:00 AM | Football
With just over a month to work and facing the massive task of replacing one of the largest Sam Houston football senior classes ever, Fritz has been preparing for one huge date on his calendar - Feb. 3, national letter of intent signing day.
Sam Houston saw 27 seniors complete their eligibility last season and the new head coach knows how important signing day is to the program's future.
"Our main focus this year is to develop some depth for our team, "Fritz said. "We only have 64 kids on the roster right now. Actually, in some ways, that's been an advantage for us because a lot of the players we sign Wednesday will have a great opportunity to see playing time next year."
Getting a late start on recruiting hasn't made things any easier, but the hard work of staff members not only in the athletic department on all over campus at Sam Houston has really helped.
"Obviously we were concerned with only a month to work on recruiting, but things have been going well," Fritz said. "We've had three recruiting weekends where prospects visit the campus . Everybody at the university has done a great job of making the recruits feel welcome when they have visited our campus.
"We've had university administrators and professors talk with the recruits as well as athletic staff members from academic support, athletic training and strength and conditioning who have been a tremendous help. Our coaching staff has done a great job of talking to prospects and evaluating talent as well.
While it won't be known for sure who the 25 players the Bearkats look to bring in are until the letters of intent are signed Wednesday, Fritz did mention some of the areas he and his staff were targeting.
"As far as numbers, we need some offensive and defensive linemen," the coach said. "We need immediate help and depth at those two spots. We also lost seven receivers and we need depth in the secondary.
"I've been telling the prospects that they need to be ready to come in and get right to work. They are going to have the chance to step in and help right away."
With Scott Stoker and Ben Beasley retained from the former coaching staff as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach, respectfully, Jeff Conway following Fritz from Central Missouri to be the recruiting coordinator and wide receivers coach, volunteer assistants Bryan Millard and graduate assistant Chris Jones are working hard, Sam Houston has been a little shorthanded.
But there have been some familiar faces helping out. Former Sam Houston head coach Ron Randleman and long-time Bearkat running backs coach Bob Riley stepped in.
"Since we got a late start, Ron and Bob Riley have been tremendous help," Fritz said. "They have been watching film and evaluating the prospects. It's been a real team effort as everyone has pitched in to bring in some talented recruits."
Fritz was hired in December after spending the past 13 years as the head coach at Central Missouri. He went 97-47 and guided the Mules to the Mid-America Athletic Association championship in 2002.
Before that, Fritz was the head coach at Blinn College from 1993-96 and went 39-5-1 on the way to winning two NJCAA national titles. He was a graduate assistant at SHSU in 1984-85 where he met Williams and was the Bearkats' secondary and special teams coach from 1991-92.
Sam Houston State's 2010 signing class will be announced on www.gobearkats.com Wednesday. Video of Fritz's signing day news conference will be posted on the web site late in the afternoon.
Tickets for Sam Houston State's annual "Battle of the Piney Woods" game with Stephen F. Austin next October at Reliant Stadium in Houston are on sale on-line now. See "Battle of the Piney Woods" 2010 ticket information.
Fans also may contact the Sam Houston State athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium for more information. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.
