Goodbye Frazier. Goodbye Mustangs?
John Hoh
Tuesday July 31, 2001
The Mustangs went 7-7 in Frazier’s first three years, making the playoffs in his second and third. However, XFL defections, free agent decisions that didn’t work out, a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the team, and key injuries -- especially to two quarterbacks in four weeks -- led to a 3-11 season in 2001. Coach Frazier’s future was a topic of inquiry ever since the team started 0-4, but the Valozzis decided to stick with their coach throughout the season.
The lack of a press conference as well as the inability to contact the Mustangs office or Coach Frazier has left the Milwaukee Media groping for answers as to why the decision was made and what the future of the Milwaukee Mustangs holds. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter couldn’t reach the Mustangs’ office for comment and the TV stations that carried the announcement simply stated that the Mustangs issued a press release but they, too, were unable to make contact with team officials on the matter.
Which makes the situation look like this: the team will be sold or moved. It is doubtful, given the lack of media access, that the Mustangs will return to Milwaukee for the 2002 season. Whether Milwaukee can attract another team is a question that also has no answers. Where they might play in 2002 or who might own them is also up in the air.
As far as Coach Frazier, the only comments that can be found will have to come from his final press meeting after the Arizona Rattler contest.
“Had it been any one thing, I could`ve fixed it," he said. "But when you`ve got the cloud of moving the team, or folding the team or new ownership, going through three quarterbacks in the first five games. You got the XFL robbing three or four of your best players. You can lie and say, `Yeah that`s not a distraction,` but that`s what you`re doing. You`re lying. `Cause it is a distraction”
This has been my contention all year. There were distractions and management never addressed those distractions. In the end, a lack of communication even turned fans off. Some, receiving season ticket requests for 2002, were skeptical if the team would be in town next year and if it would be wise to purchase season tickets. If the rumors heard on press row were a tip of the iceberg, the players definitely had to be wondering about their futures and their paychecks. Yes, they play this game because they love it. But when you also sign a contract for payment, your budget comes into play.
“On my shoulders, we made six free-agent decisions. If you take a look at it, every free agent move we made was a bad one. For whatever reason, they all didn`t pan out.”
One wonders what the team structure actually was. The media guide lists Christ Valozzi as GM. Is Frazier being the fall guy?
“We tried. I had to work under the financial limits given to me. We`re not as blessed to have some of the things that other programs have. Arizona and Tampa Bay . . . those are nice set-ups in good warm cities; places where a lot of people want to play. There happen to be a lot of good college football players hanging around there. Milwaukee is a tough place.”
Here I wonder how Grand Rapids, which finished with the best record in the league, and Toronto were able to have successful, division-winning seasons. These cities, like Milwaukee, have to fight for players with the Tampa Bays, the Orlandos, and the Arizonas. And, of course, the Florida Bobcats don’t seem to be helped by the warm climate. How many Texas teams have been successful?
Frazier: "You`ve seen the pride with which we play. We weren`t going to . . . have a 30-minute practice, hit the golf course in the afternoon and then show up for the rest of the games. We worked. To the bitter end."
Here you can’t fault Coach Frazier. Even against Arizona the Mustangs showed hustle and didn’t give up. To a man, there was no finger pointing or blame placed on other players. Each player admitted they were better than their record and that they had to suck it up and get the job done—which, unfortunately, they didn’t.
In his four years at the helm, Coach Frazier’s team was beset by injuries. This is not new in football. That’s why you have every player ready to play at any down. And distractions or no distractions, the coach still needs to get his team ready to play.
This may be a good learning experience for Frazier. I have found him to be a classy guy willing to step up and accept the blame. Some he deserves; while there is some blame I feel he’s taking for management.
As for the Milwaukee Mustangs? I’m sure an announcement will come via a press release with no press conference. We’ll never know the true story with the Bradley Center renovations and the plausibility that the Mustangs were evicted or displaced for the tenure of the renovations. Milwaukee supported the Mustangs well; they deserve better than a sheet of paper and no face looking them in the eye and telling them what’s happening.
John L. Hoh, Jr., is a free-lance writer from Milwaukee who grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin, as an avid Dolphins fan. He followed Arena Football since its inception, at one point watching tape-delayed games on low-powered WAV-TV in Waukesha. His happiest day was when Milwaukee was awarded the Mustangs franchise; his saddest when the Mustangs were contracted out of the league. John is married to his wife Maija (13+ years) and has a young son, Matthew. John pines for the return of the Arena Football League to Milwaukee.
