Amherst hiring Fritz as coach

Was Comets assistant in 2020; has also coached at Highland, Brunswick

There will be a new, but familiar face at the head of Amherst’s football program as Kenny Fritz was recently named the new head football coach.

Pending school board approval, Fritz takes over for Mike Passerrello, who stepped down in December following four years at the helm.

“I want to work hard and I want to get these kids ready,” Fritz said. “The feeling for me is not pride and joy for myself. It’s more of, let’s get this thing rolling for the kids. Let’s figure out how we can win and how we can develop great young men.”

Fritz was on Passerrello’s staff last season and had previously coached under Mike Gibbons at Medina Highland and under current Midview football head coach Luke Beal. Fritz was a volunteer assistant at Brunswick when Beal was the head man of the Blue Devils’ program.

Fritz is appreciative for his time spent at both Brunswick and Medina Highland, as well as what he learned from spending time with Passerrello.

“They did great things for me (at Brunswick) and helped me out a lot,” Fritz said. “I appreciate all of their help.

“I appreciate Mike Gibbons and his staff because we hit the ground running there. They were great help, they were always there for me and always kept me learning regardless of the situation. You pay homage to everybody who has helped you before.”

Passerrello compiled a 23-14 record at the school in four seasons and the team had a winning record

in all four years of his tenure. The Comets finished with a 4-2 regular season record in 2020 before bowing out of the playoffs after a triple overtime loss to North Royalton on Oct. 9.

The veteran coach established a winning culture at Amherst and leaves behind a solid foundation Fritz hopes to build upon. Prior to Passerrello taking the reigns at the school, the program had gone 9-51 in the previous six seasons combined.

“Coach Pass did a great

job with this program the past four years,” Fritz said. “He really got this program turned back around. The transition is going to be as smooth as you could imagine because of what he left the situation in. It’s part of the reason why I felt it was the right opportunity for me to do this because I want to continue on with what he left off with.”

Fritz understands that winning and achieving success take a lot of hard work, and the young coach is up for the challenge.

“There’s no secret formula

for it. It’s hard work, dedication and buy-in from everybody,” Fritz said. “Not just the kids, but from everybody all around the community. (It’s also) doing the right things for the players and the program and making sure this program and these kids are in a position for success, whether it be in life or football.”

After experiencing first hand how tough the competition is in the Southwestern Conference, Fritz is ready to go to work and knows his team needs to

be prepared each and every time they step foot on the field.

“Every game is a battle,” Fritz said. “You say SWC, you think competition from Week 1 all the way up. Every single conference game ... you have to bring your ‘A’ game and if you don’t, you’re going to get beat.

“It’s a weekly adversity challenge for our kids and figuring out how you can rise to the adversity, face it and deal with it. It’s tough and you can’t stress how hard it is to win in the SWC week in and week out.”

Fritz