Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

SportsLink

Bill Frazier: All-time great high school coach

Gonzaga Prep football coach Billy Frazier is carried off the field by his players in 1952. (The Spokesman-Review archives)
Gonzaga Prep football coach Billy Frazier is carried off the field by his players in 1952. (The Spokesman-Review archives)

There is little doubt that Bill Frazier is one of the first names to come to mind when the greatest local high school coaches are discussed.
William Harry Frazier was a native of Moscow, Idaho where he earned all-state honors as a high school athlete in basketball, football and baseball.
After a year at the University of Idaho, Bill transferred to Gonzaga University where he quarterbacked the school’s football team, being honored as All-Coast for his skills at that position in 1931 and 1932.
After graduation, Frazier became head football coach at Mead High School in 1933, a position he held for six years until being named both football and baseball coach at Gonzaga High School in 1939. He had found his home, and for the next 34 years guided the success of the Bullpups in both sports.
Bill only had five losing seasons in football during his tenure at the school. Four teams were undefeated, including the10-0 1963 squad.. That team is recognized by many as the best high school football team ever in the Spokane area.
His football teams won or tied for the Spokane City League championship fifteen times. Coach Frazier also guided Gonzaga Prep baseball to sixteen league crowns. His 1971 baseball team was 29-3, believed to be the best in city history.
His overall record in football was 159-67-10 in league play and 204-81-13 overall, a 70 percent winning margin. In baseball, the record was 253-129.
During his time at Gonzaga Prep, Bill also coached basketball and track. His 1946 basketball team was City League co-champion and qualified for the state tournament.
After retirement, his former players kept him busy with constant visits and contacts. He was an avid golfer and shot his age well into his 80s. He was named into numerous Hall of Fames, both locally and state wide.  Bill Frazier passed away in 2000 at the age of 91.
One quote at his induction into Gonzaga University’s Hall of Fame best summed up his coaching philosophy. “Toughness tempered with love and humanity”. 



Bill Pierce
Bill Pierce is a sports blogger who writes the weekly nwprepsnow prep sports almanac.





Looking for a Grip on Sports?

Vince Grippi's daily take on all things regional sports has been moved to our main sports section online. You can find a collection of these columns here.