John Frazier (Longview News-Journal)

NEW LONDON — John Frazier informed his team today he was resigning the position of head football coach and athletic director at West Rusk High School.

Frazier invested 12 years of his life building West Rusk’s athletic program into one that was respected throughout East Texas. The 45-year-old coach was able to accomplish his mission as West Rusk improved across the board in both boys and girls athletics during his dozen years on board. He also oversaw the remodeling of Bruce Bradshaw Stadium.

“The overall thing about all this is that I just want to spend more time with my family. For more than 20 years, I’ve been supported. My family has sat in the stands and my boys have been on the sidelines supporting me,” said Frazier. “The second half of my life I want to sit in the stands and support them and just be a dad. It’s really as simple as that.”

Frazier leaves West Rusk as the school’s all-time winningest coach with an overall record of 84-51. As he walks away among the top in his profession, Frazier said the coaching fire still burns and he didn’t rule out one day returning to the sidelines. But for the time being, he’s entering private business and looking to enjoy more time with his wife, Amanda, and their two sons, Jackson and Lucas.

“This is just another chapter in my life. I want to spend more time with my family. That’s the number one driving force. No ifs ands or buts about it,” Frazier explained. “It was not an easy decision by no means. I work with a lot of great people at West Rusk and all those kids are my kids. It’s just my priorities have changed, and I don’t want to look back years from now with any regret.”

Jackson, a sophomore at White Oak, plays varsity football for the Roughnecks, while Lucas is in sixth grade. Frazier coached against his son’s team this year when West Rusk defeated White Oak, 21-7.

“As a coach, especially during football season, we spend 70 to 80 hours at our job. That doesn’t leave much time for your wife or kids. I want that time while both my boys are still in school. I just want to be that dad in the stands and not Coach Frazier,” he said. “I missed a lot of little league and junior high games over the years. I’ve missed a lot. And I don’t want to miss it anymore. I’m ready for the second half of my life to be a dad.”

Frazier, a 1991 White Oak graduate, had previous coaching stops in Winona, Pine Tree and Troup before arriving in New London.

To put in perspective what Frazier accomplished in his 12 years at West Rusk, the 12 years before his arrival (1995-2006) the Raiders were 46-78. Frazier took West Rusk to the playoffs eight times and won or shared three district titles. West Rusk qualified for postseason seven times in the previous 42 years of its existence.

“You always want to leave a program, however long that is, in better shape than when you found it. Without a doubt we’ve been able to accomplish that,” Frazier said. “And it’s not just me either. We’ve done it with a great staff, outstanding administration and good kids. From the top down, it starts with a school board and superintendent that’s going to support you. Never a day in my 12 years where I didn’t feel a hundred percent supported.”