Thursday, January 20, 2011

Frye named offensive line coach at Temple

Justin Frye, who has worked with head football coach Steve Addazio as a player at Indiana and as a coach at Florida, has been named the offensive line coach at Temple University, Addazio announced on Wednesday.

“I have known Justin for the last nine years as both a player and a coach,” Addazio said.  “As a four-year starter and team captain at Indiana University, he played all positions on the offensive line and was like having another coach in the meeting room and on the field. This came as no surprise, as Justin grew up in a coaching family; his dad was a high school head coach in Indiana.  This gave Justin great insight, at a young age, as to what the important values are in football-- be fundamentally sound, coach hard, and love your players.

“Justin came to us at Florida from Indiana University where he helped develop Rodger Saffold (2nd Round, St. Louis Rams) as the offensive GA working with the line.  He has been around and developed top talent at a young age in his career.  At Florida, Justin also earned the respect of the team and the O-line, because they knew he was real and that he could help them develop.  We are very fortunate to have Justin, his wife, Lauren and his son, Kevin as part of the Temple family.”



Serving as the offensive line graduate assistant, Frye worked with Addazio for two seasons at the University of Florida.

In 2010, the Gator offensive unit paved the way for four players to rush for over 300 yards, one of only six BCS teams to accomplish the feat. The offensive line, which allowed only 24 sacks, had a Sporting News Freshman All-American in guard Jon Halapio and an Associated Press second-team All-SEC performer in center Mike Pouncey. Following a win in the Outback Bowl, tackle Marcus Gilbert and Pouncey were selected to play in the 2011 Senior Bowl.

The 2009 offensive line led the Southeastern Conference in rushing and total offense while finishing second in scoring offense. Frye helped tutor Maurkice Pouncey in 2009 when Pouncey won the Rimington Award, given annually to college football’s most outstanding center.

Frye was also a graduate assistant at Indiana for two seasons before joining the Florida staff, working with the offensive line and tight ends.

Playing for offensive coordinator Addazio, Frye set the Indiana record for most consecutive starts (45), playing as an offensive lineman for the Hoosiers from 2002-06. As a senior, he was a team captain and voted the team’s “Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.”  The Elwood, Ind., native earned a bachelor’s degree in sports communications from Indiana University in December 2006.

Prior to Frye’s career at Indiana, he played for Elwood High School where he was a first-team All-State performer. He also played basketball and golf and ran track. Frye earned Academic All-State honors and was the Marine Corps Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Frye’s father, the late Kevin Frye, was a fullback and tight end for the Hoosiers from 1977-81 and played in the 1979 Holiday Bowl. Frye is married to the former Lauren Torpey. The couple has a seven-month old son, Kevin.

“I have great respect for Coach Addazio and getting the opportunity to come and work for him is great,” Frye said.  “It is an opportunity for me to come and work for a great coach and an even better person.  He demands the best from his players on and off the field and his energy and passion for the game of football are second to none.  I am excited to have the chance to join the Temple family and the city of Philadelphia.”

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