The Cougars first-year head football coach is trying to live by the code in the Big 12
Willie Fritz took over in Houston and is brought a seismic shift in culture and expectations for the Cougars. As he prepares for his first Power Four season, Fritz expressed playing hard and disciplined football; encapsulated by his motto, "Play Through The Whistle" . This approach is not just a saying but a live-by code that Fritz has carried throughout his 32-year coaching career, impacting every aspect of his team's operations.
Fritz's coaching philosophy centers on effort and discipline, values he instills in his players daily. “People think that’s just a given, that guys are going to play hard. It’s not,” Fritz told the, underscoring his belief that effort must be taught, monitored, and expected. At Houston, he is implementing this approach through rigorous grading of effort and setting high expectations for every player.
One of Fritz's key goals is to instill a disciplined mindset, encapsulated in another of his sayings: “Coogs don’t beat the Coogs.” This mantra emphasizes eliminating self-inflicted mistakes—like penalties and mental errors—that can derail a team. Such discipline was lacking under former coach Dana Holgorsen, and Fritz is determined to correct it, stressing that controlling the controllable is essential for success.
Players have embraced Fritz's demanding but rewarding approach. Safety Kentrell Webb, who played under Fritz at Tulane, has described the coach's emphasis on spreading a positive, energetic culture, from high-fives before and after practice to maintaining high energy in meetings. This commitment to culture and discipline has reinvigorated the team, with Cougars players expressing renewed belief in their potential under Fritz’s leadership.
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