For the first time in nearly 20 years, Goochland’s football team won’t have Joe Fowler pacing the sidelines as its head coach.
But they’ve got a familiar face taking the reins.
Atlee offensive coordinator Alex Fruth returns to Goochland after serving as an assistant for the Bulldogs from 2010 to 2016 before joining Atlee’s staff. Fruth brings a collegiate coaching background — he coached at Wabash and Manchester in Indiana as well as Randolph Macon before moving to the high school ranks.
Fruth’s familiarity with the school and program as well as a seasoned core staff that includes defensive coordinator Dan Summitt and assistants Patrick Gordon and Erik Hansen should make him a natural fit. The fact that he was picked by Fowler, who led the Bulldogs to a pair of state titles, says a lot about Fruth’s capability on its own.
Goochland went 12-1 last season before falling in the second round of the playoffs 21-10 to Poquoson. It has been 14 years since Goochland fell below .500 and five of the last seven years they’ve won 10 or more games.
