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, May 14 2013 8:11 PM EDT2013-05-15 00:11:24 GMT
16-year-old Destiny Henderson, a student at Inkster High School, died Monday in a horrific traffic accident. Her car stopped at a light was hit from behind by a bus.
16-year-old Destiny Henderson, a student at Inkster High School, died Monday in a horrific traffic accident. Her car stopped at a light was hit from behind by a bus.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 3:11 PM EDT2013-05-21 19:11:34 GMT
Brian Woehlke and his family
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
All funds collected will be donated to the Westland Fire Fighters Charity's fund for the family of fallen firefighter Brian Woehlke, who passed away while battling a Westland fire on May 8.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:12:17 GMT
An attorney for a former Michigan Supreme Court justice says community service would be an appropriate sentence for a scandal that forced her out of office.
An attorney for a former Michigan Supreme Court justice says community service would be an appropriate sentence for a scandal that forced her out of office.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:01 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:01:58 GMT
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
The American Red Cross is working in a variety of ways and from several different areas of the country to help the victims of the tornadoes which struck in the nation's heartland.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:48 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:48:16 GMT
Weather Authority Ben Bailey says the humidity has dropped since earlier this morning but the risk of severe weather still exists Tuesday throughout southeast Michigan.
Weather Authority Ben Bailey says the humidity has dropped since earlier this morning but the risk of severe weather still exists Tuesday throughout southeast Michigan.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:31 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:31:20 GMT
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:50 AM EDT2013-05-21 13:50:04 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
