(2) Henry Frazier III vs. (15) George Ragsdale

[Bornthrilla]

Henry Frazier III


Head coach, Prairie View A&M


Henry Frazier III is in his fifth season as head coach of the Prairie View A&M University Panthers. He became the 22nd head football coach in PVAMU athletic history on Dec. 22, 2003. Last season Frazier and staff led the Panthers to their first winning season in thirty years and most wins in over four decades.

A native of Washington D.C. and a 1993 graduate of Bowie State University, Frazier played quarterback for BSU and went 18-3-1 as a starter. He guided the Bulldogs to the NCAA playoffs in 1988 and a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Championship in 1989. Upon graduating from Bowie State, Frazier entered the coaching ranks and had tremendous success as a head coach on the high school level in Maryland. Frazier continued to climb the coaching ladder and was named the head football coach at Bowie State in 1999. He quickly turned his alma mater into one of the CIAA’s best.

In 2001, Frazier led Bowie State to its best season since 1989 with a 7-3 record. For his success on the field, he was selected as the Coach of the Year by the CIAA and 100 percent Wrong Club in Atlanta, Ga. In addition, the 2001 Bulldogs also fielded the number one ranked pass defense and number seven ranked defense in NCAA Division II.

After an impressive 2001 season, Frazier moved the BSU program to another level during the 2002 season with their first-ever CIAA Eastern Division title and CIAA championship game appearance. Continuing the winning tradition in 2003, he guided the Bulldogs to their third consecutive winning season with a second place finish in the CIAA Eastern Division. Frazier’s 26-24 career record at Bowie State currently stands as the most victories by any football coach at BSU.

Prior to his arrival, Prairie View had posted two consecutive one win seasons in 2002 and 2003. In his first season at PVAMU, Frazier and staff led the Panthers to their most wins since 2001 by winning a total of three games. Prairie View also defeated arch rival Texas Southern for the first time in 15 years, beating the Tigers 25-7 in the 20th annual Labor Day Classic. In doing so, he led the Panthers to their first 2-0 start since 1964.

In 2005, Frazier continued Prairie View’s upward swing and guided the Panthers to their best season since 1988 with a 5-6 record. Included among the highlights last season was the Panthers’ first victory over Jackson State since 1971 and the team’s first SWAC road win in 17 years. In addition, Frazier moved into some elite company and joined PVAMU legendary head football coach William “Billy” Nicks as the only other coach in Prairie View history to beat Texas Southern in consecutive seasons.

In 2007 Frazier after leading the Panthers to their first winning season since 1976 and most wins since 1964 he was selected as Coach of the Year by the College Sporting News and the Black Sports Page.

When comparing Frazier’s current win totals he has already eclipsed the win marks of the last ten coaches at PVAMU. Frazier’s coaching philosophy centers around the belief that for a program to become successful, its players need to have fun on the field.

"In order to run a successful program you must provide your student-athletes with structure and discipline," said Frazier. "Whenever you are able to create that type of atmosphere for your players as well as making it fun for them, you have the basic elements needed for success."

Frazier is married to the former LaNier Turner of Washington, D.C. They have three children, Brijan (17), Brinia (8) and Henry IV (6).

[Bornthrilla]

George Ragsdale

Interim head coach, NC A&T

George Ragsdale, one of the best football players to ever wear an Aggies uniform, is back for his third season as an assistant coach under head coach Lee Fobbs. He will again coach running backs for the Aggies. Each year under Ragsdale tutelage, Aggies starting running back Michael Ferguson has progressed tremendously.

He topped his career year of 2007 by almost doubling his yardage total in 2008 with 1,169 yards on 182 carries. Ferguson was the third-leading rusher in the conference. Ragsdale came to N.C. A&T after spending two seasons as the running backs coach at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, where he coached SWAC Freshman of the Year running back Mickie Dean, who led the conference in touchdowns with 17.

Ragsdale has been a staple in the Greensboro community for four decades. Ragsdale’s return to the Aggie coaching staff marks his third stint with N.C. A&T. His presence usually proves beneficial for the Aggies. In his previous two stints, the Aggies won MEAC Championships while he was on staff and as a player Ragsdale helped the Aggies win the school’s first-ever MEAC Championship.

Ragsdale began his coaching career as an Aggie in 1983 when he accepted an assistant coaching position as a running back coach and recruiting coordinator under then head coach Mo Forte. Under Ragsdale’s tutelage, Stoney Polite became one of the best running backs in Aggies history. Polite ended his career as the Aggies all-time leading rusher, and stands at No.4 on the rushing list today.

After leaving N.C. A&T in 1988, Ragsdale spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Dudley High School in Greensboro. During that time frame, he also worked as an intern on the Washington Redskins coaching staff. Ragsdale returned to coaching on the collegiate level in 1996 when he became the offensive coordinator at Morris Brown College.

He remained there for four seasons before taking over the offensive coordinator duties at Norfolk State for three seasons. Ragsdale worked as a part-time assistant coach at N.C. A&T in 2003, helping the Aggies win their sixth MEAC Championship in 2003. His position players would do well to listen to him, considering his accomplishments while at N.C. A&T from 1972-75, and his numerous years playing on the professional level.

Ragsdale was inducted into the N.C. A&T Hall of Fame in 1994 and is the Aggies eighth all-time leading rusher. In March of 2007, Ragsdale was inducted into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. During his career at N.C. A&T, he rushed for 1,989 yards. On Oct. 10, 1975, Ragsdale rushed for a career-high 232 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carriers against Morgan State. Ragsdale spent eight years playing professional football.

[wart]

Rags deserves a chance. No matter who gets the job, Recruit,recruit, recruit. NC has good players and "NCA@T" needs to have coaches who know NC and can recruit those players!!!

[Bornthrilla]

So wart, you would be perfectly happy if Ragsdale was named the permanent head coach?

BTW: Welcome to the board.

[Aggie77]

Dec 5, 2008 9:22:57 GMT -5 wart said:

Rags deserves a chance. No matter who gets the job, Recruit,recruit, recruit. NC has good players and "NCA@T" needs to have coaches who know NC and can recruit those players!!!

Didn't he get a chance and doesn't he still have a chance (well until midnight on Saturday).

[wart]

Yes, I would be happy. A&T fb is in trouble and a man with the loyalty, knowledge, dedication to the Aggies is extremely important at this time. Throwing money at the situation and bringing a BIG name in will not guarantee anything. BTW, did you, compare the talent on the field the last 4 games, the Aggies were no comparison. Give him 2 years to recruit NC and re -evaluate. It will not cost a great amount and you may be surprised.