Marvin Frazier came to Lakeland in 2019 because he wanted to learn under Bill Castle. Now he will replace Castle.
Lakeland stayed in-house by naming Frazier, 36, as head football coach. The announcement was made Friday morning by Lakeland Principal Art Martinez and Athletic Director Deron Collins.
Exuberance is how Frazier described his reaction.
“It’s an exciting feeling of course, but it’s not a moment to celebrate because if you’re not successful in December, then you didn’t do anything, you didn’t handle your business the right way,” Frazier said. “So I’m more so just ready. I think that is the best word to describe it, just ready to work. I understand it’s not a celebratory moment until December comes around and you did what you’re supposed to do.”
The decision to select Frazier was made Thursday after interviews.
“The biggest thing that we like is he was on campus,” Martinez said. “He’s one of our current coaches. We felt very strongly about keeping it in-house. We think that it’ll be seamless going forward with Marvin. He’s had some previous coaching experience at other schools, which is an added bonus. You know sometimes when you’ve been at other places and you see how other people do it, you just kind of pick and choose some things that work extremely well and things that maybe didn’t and what you wouldn’t use when you become a head coach.”
Frazier’s ability to relate to the players was also a strength.
“One thing for me personally that I’ve observed over the past four years is his relationship with the students and how the guys responded to him,” Collins said.