Derek Frazier named UW offensive line coach

LARAMIE -- Craig Bohl said the Cowboys would be "timely" in finding AJ Blazek's replacement as the offensive line coach in Laramie.

It took just six days.

The university announced today that Derek Frazier, son of former UW team captain and Sun Bowl champion, Tom Frazier, will indeed be that guy.

It's been a busy day inside the High Altitude Performance Center as Bohl also announced the hiring of Tom Polasek as the Cowboys' new offensive coordinator, replacing long-time assistant, Brent Vigen.

"We are certainly excited about Derek Frazier joining Cowboy Football,” Bohl said in a press release. “He has a long history with Wyoming Football. His father was a great player here, and Derek spent many afternoons in War Memorial Stadium as he was growing up. He is really a loyal Cowboy fan."

Frazier, a Fort Collins native, played his college ball at Northern Colorado under former UW head coach Joe Glenn. As a coach, he's made three separate stops at Fresno State and coached the offensive line for the Cowboys' Border War rivals, Colorado State, from 2012-14. Most recently, Frazier was a co-offensive line coach for the New York Jets.

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“I want to say that I am very excited and humbled to be a part of coach Bohl’s staff and represent the strong tradition that is Wyoming Cowboy Football,” Frazier said in a press release. “I know first hand what Cowboy Football represents, by growing up and following the program with my mom and dad, as well as being on the other sideline. I went to many Wyoming bowl games with my parents and many Cowboy Joe events. I’m fired up to get started.

"This opportunity is a chance to work with tough young men, who play hard-nosed football in a great culture that coach Bohl has instilled."

Frazier's was co-captain of Wyoming’s 1966 team that posted a 10-1 record and defeated Florida State, 28-20, in the Sun Bowl. The Cowboys finished the season ranked No. 15 in the nation, and Frazier was a First Team All-WAC end.

His uncle, Jeff Frazier, played for the Cowboys, too.

"Having been around the program for so many years because of my family’s connection to Wyoming, it is very special to now be part of that tradition," he said.

Frazier has indeed been on the other sideline against the Cowboys.

In 2009, his Fresno State team fell to Wyoming 35-28 in double overtime in the New Mexico Bowl. Then the Bulldogs' offensive line coach, and run-game coordinator, Frazier featured one of the top backs in the country in Ryan Mathews.

Wyoming fans probably remember this sequence:

Before that game in Albuquerque, Frazier told the Associated Press that there was little doubt who his father was pulling for.

“I’m always joking around with them ... who are they going to cheer for?” Frazier said. “My dad and I go back and forth with each other. You can never question his loyalties. He’s a Cowboy through and through."

Would his parents wear UW gear?

“So, I said to him, Hey, if you are going to wear Cowboy stuff, you probably shouldn’t be using my tickets,” Frazier added with a laugh.

While on Jim McElwain's staff in Fort Collins, the Rams went 2-1 against the Cowboys. Wyoming won 45-31 in Laramie in 2012. Current defensive ends coach Marty English was also on that CSU staff. English was a linebacker and strength coach at UNC when Frazier was a player in Greeley.

English also coached the Cowboys defense during that New Mexico Bowl tilt against the Bulldogs.

That wasn't the last time Frazier would run into the Pokes during bowl season.

In 2017, Josh Allen torched Frazier's Central Michigan team for three touchdowns and the UW defense forced an Idaho Potato Bowl record eight turnovers in the 37-14 rout.

“Derek enjoys a great national reputation and has coached at both the collegiate and professional levels," Bohl said. "There is no doubt he is going to do an excellent job moving our offensive line forward as we continue to make great progress with our offense this offseason."

Wyoming returns its entire starting five on the offensive line and their backups. The Cowboys also boast one of the top one-two punches in the backfield with Xazavian Valladay and Trey Smith.

To read the entire UW press release click HERE.

Derek Frazier’s Year-by-Year Coaching History

Year School Position

2000 Nichols College (Mass.) Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line

2001-02 Adams State (Colo.) Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line

2003-04 Fresno State Graduate Assistant

2005 Northern Arizona Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator

2006-08 Fresno State Offensive Line

2009-11 Fresno State Run-Game Coordinator/Offensive Line

2012-14 Colorado State Offensive Line

2015-16 Central Michigan Offensive Line

2017-18 Central Michigan Run-Game Coordinator/Offensive Line