The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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January 28, 2010

On the recruiting trail

SHSU football coach looking for immediate help on the offensive and defensive line

By Cody Stark

Sam Houston State head coach Willie Fritz is a hard man to get a hold of these days.

That’s because the Bearkats football program’s new boss is hitting the recruiting trail like crazy to make up for any lost time. Fritz and his staff were a little behind schedule since he was only hired a month ago.

But so far, the coach has been pleased with the progress that has been made as national signing day quickly approaches Wednesday.

“I was a little concerned with getting a late start, but there are plenty of good players still available,” Fritz said over the phone on his way back from a recruiting trip on Thursday. “Our coaching staff has done a great job of talking to prospects and evaluating talent. Everybody at the university and our current players have also done a great job of making the recruits fell welcome when they have visited our campus.”

While it won’t be known for sure who the Bearkats will be bringing in until the letters of intent are signed Wednesday, Fritz did mention some of the areas he and his staff were targeting.

Sam Houston lost 27 seniors to graduation, so Fritz said they were looking to sign 25 new recruits.

“As far as numbers, we need some offensive and defensive linemen,” the coach said. “We need immediate help and depth at those to 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. Some of these recruits are going to be playing next season.”

Fritz has only officially hired three members to his staff. Scott Stoker and Ben Beasley were retained from former head coach Todd Whitten’s staff as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach, respectfully. Jeff Conway followed Fritz from Central Missouri to be the recruiting coordinator and wide receivers coach.

Former Southwest Texas head coach Bob DeBesse has agreed to become Sam Houston State’s offensive coordinator, but the hire isn’t official yet.

That has left the Bearkat staff shorthanded, but there have been some familiar faces helping out.

“We have been using some recruiting services,” Fritz added. “Since we got a late start, (former SHSU head coach) Ron Randleman and (former Bearkat running backs coach) Bob Riley have been helping in the recruiting. They have been watching film and evaluating the prospects.

“It’s a variety of different aspects that we are utilizing to bring in some talented recruits.”

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