Golden Eagle Football
Shawn D. Smith, Sports Information Director • 218-281-8414 (work) • 319-431-2545 (cell) • smithsd@umn.edu
Head Coach Mike Fritze Long-time Minnesota high school head coach Mike Fritze was hired to serve as the team’s defensive coordinator under long-time friend Paul Miller in 2013 after retiring from teaching and high school coaching after the conclusion of the 2012 season. Fritze had coached for a combined 103 consecutive seasons in three sports (football, boys basketball and track and field) prior to his arrival at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He spent the last 18 seasons as the head football coach at Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley, Minn. Fritze succeeded current UMC head coach Paul Miller as the head coach at Apple Valley in 1995. Fritze first arrived at Apple Valley High School in 1981 after five years coaching high school in Wisconsin. He served as an assistant for Coach Miller’s 1986 and 1993 state championship teams before taking over as head coach. Coach Miller came back to serve as Fritze’s offensive coordinator in 2008. In 2012, Fritze helped lead Apple Valley to an 8-3 record and their first state playoff berth since 1993 when they won the state championship under Coach Miller. Fritze was head boys basketball coach for six seasons, leading the Eagles to the state tournament twice. Fritze will spend time living in both Crookston and in the Twin Cities with his wife Kris.
Mike Fritze Head Coaching Profile College As an Assistant Coach 1976 Jefferson H.S. 1977 Jefferson H.S. 1978 Jefferson H.S. 1979 Jefferson H.S. 1980 Jefferson H.S. 1981 Apple Valley H.S. 1982 Apple Valley H.S. 1983 Apple Valley H.S. 1984 Apple Valley H.S. 1985 Apple Valley H.S. 1986 Apple Valley H.S. 1987 Apple Valley H.S. 1988 Apple Valley H.S. 1989 Apple Valley H.S. 1990 Apple Valley H.S. 1991 Apple Valley H.S. 1992 Apple Valley H.S. 1993 Apple Valley H.S. 1994 Apple Valley H.S.
As a Head Coach 1995 Apple Valley H.S. 1996 Apple Valley H.S. 1997 Apple Valley H.S. 1998 Apple Valley H.S. 1999 Apple Valley H.S. 2000 Apple Valley H.S. 2001 Apple Valley H.S. 2002 Apple Valley H.S. 2003 Apple Valley H.S. 2004 Apple Valley H.S. 2005 Apple Valley H.S. 2006 Apple Valley H.S. 2007 Apple Valley H.S. 2008 Apple Valley H.S. 2009 Apple Valley H.S. 2010 Apple Valley H.S. 2011 Apple Valley H.S. 2012 Apple Valley H.S. 2013-Pr Minnesota Crookston (1-5)