Henry Franklin Fraley Jr. (born September 21, 1977) is an American football coach and former center who is the offensive line coach for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as an assistant offensive line coach for the Lions and Minnesota Vikings. Originally from Gaithersburg, Maryland, Fraley played college football at Robert Morris University and was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2000 by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Waived before the start of the 2000 season, Fraley was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles, for whom he started at center for five seasons. He lost his starting job to Jamaal Jackson before the 2006 season and was subsequently traded to the Cleveland Browns. He played for the Browns for four seasons and the St. Louis Rams for one season.
.jpg) Fraley with the Lions in 2022 | |||||||
| Detroit Lions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Offensive line coach | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | September 21, 1977 Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S. | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 310 lb (141 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Gaithersburg | ||||||
| College: | Robert Morris (1996–1999) | ||||||
| Undrafted: | 2000 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| As a player: | |||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||
| As a coach: | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Early years
editFraley attended Gaithersburg High School and as a senior in 1995, he helped them to the Maryland state championship game.
Playing career
editCollege
editFraley's career began as a non-scholarship player at Division I-AA Robert Morris University near Pittsburgh. He is listed as the second athlete to ever have his number, 75, retired from Robert Morris University. Fraley holds a degree in Organizational Leadership.
National Football League
editPittsburgh Steelers
editFraley was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000.
Philadelphia Eagles
editFraley was claimed off waivers in 2000 by the Philadelphia Eagles after being released by the Steelers. He was inactive for the entire 2000 season. In his first ever NFL game (vs St. Louis Rams on September 9, 2001), Fraley was fined for an illegal downfield block. He started in 15 games in 2001.
Fraley started in all 16 regular season games along with two postseason games during the 2002 season. He was part of an offensive line that helped the Eagles offense to 25.9 points per game, the fourth highest in the NFL.
Fraley started in all 16 regular season games in 2003 and 2004. In 2004, he was an important part of the offensive line that helped the Eagles to 4,208 passing yards, a team record and 386 points, the third most in team history.
He started the first eight games of the 2005 season, but suffered a shoulder injury at the Washington Redskins on November 6 which ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Cleveland Browns
editOn September 2, 2006, Fraley was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a draft pick in the 2008 NFL draft after losing his starting job to Jamaal Jackson.[1] He made his Browns debut versus the New Orleans Saints on September 10 and started in all 16 games.
It was said by teammate wide receiver Joe Jurevicius that Fraley should have been considered the offensive MVP in the 2006 season, due to his line calling and blue-collar work ethic.
Prior to the start of free agency in 2007, the Browns re-signed Fraley to a four-year contract for an undisclosed amount.[2] He made his 100th NFL career start versus the Buffalo Bills on December 16.
He was released by the Browns on March 3, 2010.[3]
St. Louis Rams
editOn March 14, 2010, Fraley signed with the St. Louis Rams.[4] He was released on September 4, 2011, after just one season with the Rams.[5]
Coaching career
editUniversity of San Diego
editOn April 7, 2012, Fraley was hired by the University of San Diego as the football team's offensive line coach.[6]
San Jose State University
editOn January 31, 2013, San Jose State University hired Fraley as offensive line coach for the Spartans football team under Ron Caragher.[7]
Minnesota Vikings
editOn February 10, 2014, Fraley was hired by the Minnesota Vikings as an assistant offensive line coach.[8]
UCLA
editOn January 21, 2017, the UCLA Bruins hired Fraley as their offensive line coach.[9]
Detroit Lions
editOn February 16, 2018, Fraley was hired by the Detroit Lions as an assistant offensive line coach.[10]
On January 7, 2020, Fraley was promoted to offensive line coach.
Personal life
editHank grew up in Gaithersburg Maryland attending Gaithersburg High School. Prior to starting his NFL career, Fraley planned on teaching history and coaching football. He is married to Danielle (May 26, 2006), and they live in Canton, Michigan with their five children. They have one yellow lab, Wingman, a Leonberger named Uschi and a pug named Daisy and a Chocolate Lab named Bently.[11]
References
edit- ^ Pasquarelli, Len (September 2, 2006). "Eight not enough: Browns deal for Eagles center Fraley". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Poised for free agency, Browns agree to terms with Fraley". ESPN.com. March 2, 2007. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Fraley lost starting job to Mack". ESPN. March 3, 2010. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
- ^ "Rams Sign Fraley". Los Angeles Rams. March 16, 2010. Archived from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ Wagoner, Nick (September 5, 2011). "Rams Add Wragge, Spach". Los Angeles Rams. Archived from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "Hank Fraley and Christian Taylor join USD Football Staff". usdtoreros.cstv.com. April 7, 2012. Archived from the original on May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
- ^ Durkin, Jimmy (February 1, 2013). "San Jose State announces full football coaching staff". San Jose Mercury News. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
- ^ Vikings PR (February 10, 2014). "Vikings Add Hank Fraley To Coaching Staff". Minnesota Vikings. Archived from the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ "UCLA Football Adds Hank Fraley to Coaching Staff". UCLA. January 21, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ Monarrez, Carlos (February 16, 2018). "Detroit Lions hire UCLA's Hank Fraley as offensive line assistant". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- ^ 10 Questions with Hank Fraley Archived November 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Robert Morris University, Fall 2008. Accessed December 1, 2013. "Fraley and his wife, Danielle, reside in Woolwich Township, N.J., and have three sons together: Mason, Travis and Beau."