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Charlie Frye
Charlie Frye
from Wikipedia

Charles Thomas Frye (born August 28, 1981) is an American football coach and former player who serves as a defensive assistant for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played professionally as a quarterback for six seasons in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks, and Oakland Raiders.

Key Information

Frye played college football for the Akron Zips and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft.

Early life

[edit]

Frye graduated from Willard High School in Willard, Ohio, and was a football standout at quarterback under coach Chris Hawkins. He broke 17 of the school's all-time football records. In his senior season, Frye led the Crimson Flashes to a 10–2 record, earning the Northwest District Player of the Year award and First-team All-Ohio Division III team honors. Frye excelled in basketball; during his senior season he earned First-team All-Northwest District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio Honors and helped lead the Crimson Flashes to a 22–3 record, a Northern Ohio League Championship and a Sweet 16 berth.

College career

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Frye broke 54 football records during his college career at the University of Akron.[1] After red-shirting in freshman year, Frye was named starting quarterback in just the second game of his freshman season.[2] Frye won the MVP award at the 2005 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.[3]

Statistics

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Source:[4]

Season Passing Rushing Receiving
Year Team GS GP Rating Att Comp Pct Yds TD INT Att Yds TD Rec Yds TD
2001 Akron 10 11 124.6 289 170 58.8 2,053 9 6 62 22 3 0 0 0
2002 Akron 12 12 136.5 380 250 65.8 2,824 15 9 102 125 7 1 -4 0
2003 Akron 11 12 148.6 421 273 64.8 3,549 22 9 111 288 7 1 14 0
2004 Akron 11 11 139.8 349 220 63.6 2,623 18 8 100 -6 2 0 0 0
Totals 44 46 138.5 1,436 913 63.6 11,049 64 32 375 429 19 2 10 0
  • Numbers in Bold are Akron school records

Professional career

[edit]
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Wonderlic
6 ft 3+78 in
(1.93 m)
225 lb
(102 kg)
31+18 in
(0.79 m)
8+78 in
(0.23 m)
4.88 s 1.69 s 2.82 s 4.08 s 6.94 s 33 in
(0.84 m)
9 ft 5 in
(2.87 m)
38[5]
All values from NFL Combine[6][7]

Cleveland Browns

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Frye was selected in the third round (67th overall) of the 2005 NFL draft by the Browns.[8][9] His first NFL start came against the Jacksonville Jaguars in week 13. He passed for 226 yards with two touchdowns, both to fellow rookie Braylon Edwards, and set a Browns rookie record for a single game with a 136.7 passer rating. Frye started the final five games of the 2005 season for the Browns, compiling a record of 2–3.

Frye was named starting quarterback for the 2006 NFL season.[10]

After a battle in the preseason with Derek Anderson and rookie Brady Quinn, Frye won the starting quarterback job for the 2007 season. In the first game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Frye struggled during the first few minutes.[11] Anderson replaced him for the remainder of the game. Anderson remained the starter for the rest of the year and made the Pro Bowl.

Seattle Seahawks

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On September 11, Frye was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for a sixth-round draft pick. He was the Seahawks' third-string quarterback behind Matt Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace. Frye made his first start of the 2008 season against the Green Bay Packers.

Oakland Raiders

[edit]

An unrestricted free agent following the 2008 season, Frye signed with the Oakland Raiders on June 8, 2009.

On December 16, 2009, Raiders Head Coach Tom Cable named Frye the starting quarterback of the Oakland Raiders after Bruce Gradkowski was injured with two torn MCL's. Frye surpassed former starter and number one overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell after Russell was sacked six times in relief of Gradkowski the previous week in a game against the Washington Redskins.

On December 20, 2009, Frye made his first start against the Denver Broncos, but was injured early in the fourth quarter and JaMarcus Russell came in to win the game.

Frye came back from his injury to play the next two weeks against the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens. Frye threw 3 interceptions but came back against the Ravens to throw a touchdown and no interceptions. Frye finished the season with 581 yards passing, 1 TD, and 4 INT with a 65.3 passer rating.

Frye signed a 1-year, $1.2 million contract with a third-round tender on March 15, 2010. During training camp later that year, Frye injured his wrist and had to undergo surgery. Oakland placed him on injured reserve on August 19, 2010.

Coaching career

[edit]

After injuries and surgeries ended his career early, Frye turned to coaching.[12] Former teammate Kenard Lang, who was by then the head football coach at Jones High School in Orlando, hired Frye as offensive coordinator.[13]

Before the 2013 season, Lang and Frye were hired for the same positions at Wekiva High School in Apopka, Florida.[14]

Frye spent the 2018 football season as the wide receivers coach for Ashland University (Ashland, OH)

In January 2019 it was announced that Frye would be joining the staff of new Central Michigan head coach Jim McElwain as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. [15]

In January 2021, Frye was named as the QB Coach for the Miami Dolphins. [16]

In August 2022, Frye joined the Penn State football Staff as an Offensive Analyst. [17] In December of the same year, Frye agreed to become the next offensive coordinator at Florida Atlantic.[18]

On March 18, 2025, the Minnesota Vikings hired Frye to serve as a defensive assistant.[19]

Personal life

[edit]

In honor of his high school career, the Crimson Flashes retired his #3 jersey and is on display in the Commons and on the field.

In honor of his #5 jersey and last name, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic declared Friday, November 5, 2004 "Frye-day".[20]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Charlie Frye (born August 28, 1981) is an coach and former professional who currently serves as a defensive assistant for the Minnesota Vikings of the (). A standout college player at the , Frye set 54 school records as a , including marks for career passing yards (11,049) and touchdowns (64), and became the program's most honored signal-caller with 45 starts over four seasons from 2001 to 2004. Selected by the in the third round (67th overall) of the , Frye began his professional playing career as the Browns' starting in his rookie season, appearing in 7 games and throwing for 1,002 yards with 4 touchdowns. Over five NFL seasons from 2005 to 2009, he played for the Browns, , and , compiling career totals of 4,154 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 23 starts across 26 games. After retiring as a player, Frye transitioned into coaching, beginning at the high school level in 2012. Frye's coaching career progressed through roles at the before he joined in December 2022 as and quarterbacks coach, where he was noted for his expertise in development. Hired in March 2025, he returned to the with the in his current defensive assistant position, marking a shift from offensive to defensive responsibilities while leveraging his extensive experience in the sport.

Early years

Early life

Charlie Frye was born on August 28, 1981, in Willard, , a small town in northern with a population of around 6,200. He was the third of four children born to his parents, Dave Frye, an engineer, and Sally Frye, a teacher's aide. Frye was raised in a close-knit, small-town environment in Willard, where community ties were strong, including connections to local figures like his uncle, the town's police chief. Weekends often involved family gatherings at a private lake, featuring activities such as pontoon boating, jet-skiing, and , which contributed to his early athletic development. Frye's initial exposure to sports came at age four when he received a football, which he played with constantly alongside his brother Clay and neighborhood friends until dark. By age seven, he served as a for Willard High School's football team, and by eighth grade, he was charting plays during games. A devoted fan from a young age, Frye idolized Bernie Kosar, whom he met at age five at a event, and even dressed as a Browns player for Halloween. In fifth grade, he began watching game films with high school players at his coach's house, and during middle school, he practiced throwing footballs through a tire swing for four to five hours daily. At age 12, Frye wrote a letter to his parents expressing his love for the physicality of football and his aspiration to play professionally while pursuing a strong in math. This foundation in local community sports activities nurtured his passion for football, leading him to join the Willard High School team as a freshman.

High school career

Charlie Frye attended Willard High School in Willard, , where he excelled as a multi-sport , primarily in football and . In football, Frye played for the Crimson Flashes under coach and broke 17 of the school's all-time records during his career. As a senior in 1999, he led the team to a 10-2 record, earning Northwest District Player of the Year and First-team All- Division III honors. Frye also starred in basketball during his senior year, earning First-team All-Northwest District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio accolades as a guard. He contributed significantly to the Flashes' 22-3 overall record and undefeated 14-0 mark in the , culminating in the league championship under coach . Frye's versatility as a dual-sport standout highlighted his athletic prowess and leadership, paving the way for his recruitment to the .

College career

University of Akron

Charlie Frye enrolled at the in 2000, joining the program as a , and redshirted that season to develop physically from his high school frame of 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and 191 lb (87 kg) into a more robust 220 lb (100 kg) athlete by his playing years. He earned a Wonderlic score of 38 at the NFL Combine, highlighting his cognitive aptitude alongside his physical tools. Frye assumed the starting role in 2001 during his redshirt freshman year, specifically taking over in the second game, and went on to start 45 of 46 games through the 2004 season, providing consistent leadership for the in the (MAC). During his career, Frye earned the MAC's Vern Smith Leadership Award in 2004, the conference's highest honor for a football student-athlete, and was named second-team All-MAC that year. His tenure marked a period of elevated program visibility in the MAC, as the competed against regional rivals and Frye's reliability helped stabilize the offense amid the conference's competitive landscape. Over his career, Frye set 54 school records, solidifying his status as the program's most honored and earning induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014. In recognition of his contributions and wearing jersey number 5, Akron Don Plusquellic declared November 5, 2004—coinciding with a Friday game—as "Charlie Frye Day," celebrating his impact on the university and community. Following his senior season, Frye was named the MVP of the 2005 , where he completed 10 of 12 passes for 138 yards and a in the North team's 23-13 victory.

College statistics

Charlie Frye concluded his college career at the with impressive passing totals, accumulating 11,049 yards, 64 , and 32 interceptions over 46 games played from 2001 to 2004. His completion percentage stood at 63.6% on 913 completions out of 1,436 attempts, averaging 7.7 yards per attempt and earning a of 137.4. Frye's statistical progression showed steady improvement, particularly in production and efficiency, as he transitioned from a redshirt freshman to a senior leader. Frye's passing performance evolved across seasons, with his junior year in 2003 marking a peak in volume and output. The following table summarizes his yearly passing statistics:
YearGamesCompletionsAttemptsCompletion %YardsTDsINTsYards/AttPasser Rating
20011117028958.82,053967.1124.6
20021225038065.82,8241597.4136.5
20031227342164.83,5492298.4148.6
20041122034663.62,6231887.6139.8
Career469131,43663.611,04964327.7137.4
In the (MAC), Frye's numbers were standout, as he frequently ranked among the leaders in completions, passing yards, and touchdowns during his tenure, with his career yardage placing ninth in MAC history since 1962. These achievements helped elevate Akron's offensive output and set multiple school records, as noted in his broader college profile. Frye also contributed modestly on the ground, rushing for 429 yards and 19 touchdowns on 375 carries over his career, with a yards-per-carry average of 1.1. His rushing touchdowns peaked in 2002 and 2003 with seven each, providing a dual-threat element to Akron's attack. The table below details his yearly rushing stats:
YearGamesCarriesYardsYards/CarryTDs
20011162220.43
2002121021251.27
2003121112882.67
200411100-6-0.12
Career463754291.119

Professional career

Cleveland Browns

Charlie Frye was selected by the in the third round, 67th overall, of the . As a rookie, he began the season as the backup to but took over as starter after Dilfer suffered a in Week 9 against the Houston Texans. In his rookie season, Frye appeared in 7 games, starting the final 5 and posting a 2-3 record in those starts, with season totals of 98 completions out of 164 attempts for 1,002 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. His NFL debut came in Week 13 against the , where he threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns to wide receiver with no interceptions, though the Browns lost 20-14; however, as a young facing a steep learning curve, Frye struggled with consistency and turnovers in subsequent games amid a Browns team that finished 6-10 under head coach . In 2006, Frye solidified his role as the primary starter for , appearing in 13 games and starting all 13 with a 4-9 record, as ended the season 4-12. He passed for 2,454 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 17 that year (league-high for INTs), reflecting ongoing challenges with decision-making under pressure in an offense hampered by injuries and inconsistent protection, including a wrist injury that sidelined him for three games. The 2007 season marked a turbulent end to Frye's Browns tenure; he started the opener against the but was benched at after completing 4 of 10 passes for 34 yards and one , with Crennel opting for Derek Anderson. Frye appeared in only one more game as a reserve before the Browns traded him to the on September 11, 2007, in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the , concluding his three-year stint in . During his time with the Browns, Frye started 19 games, accounting for the majority of his career passing production with 3,490 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions.

Seattle Seahawks

Charlie Frye was acquired by the via trade from the on September 11, 2007, in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the . From 2007 to 2008, Frye served primarily as the third-string behind starter and backup on a Seahawks team coached by . His role focused on providing depth and practicing with the scout team, though he saw limited action until injuries sidelined the top two quarterbacks early in the 2008 season. Frye's most notable contribution came in his lone start with , a Week 6 matchup against the on October 12, 2008, where he filled in due to Hasselbeck's back injury and Wallace's calf strain; he completed 12 of 23 passes for 83 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a 27-17 loss, while adding 30 rushing yards on two carries, including a career-long 27-yard scamper. He appeared in one additional game that season without recording statistics. Frye's tenure bolstered the Seahawks' quarterback depth chart during a turbulent campaign marked by offensive struggles and injuries, offering a reliable option without disrupting the primary . As an unrestricted after the season, he departed to sign with the in 2009.

Oakland Raiders

Frye signed with the as an unrestricted on June 8, 2009, joining the team as a backup behind . Under head coach , Frye entered a competitive room amid the Raiders' ongoing struggles at the position, which contributed to their 5-11 record that season. He was named the starter for the final three games after Russell was benched following inconsistent performances, completing 53 of 87 passes for 581 yards, one , and four interceptions across those appearances, despite suffering a in Week 15 against the but being cleared to play the following weeks. Frye re-signed with the Raiders on March 15, 2010, to a one-year contract worth $1.226 million, remaining in a role. However, during on August 5, 2010, he suffered a severe injury while falling during a drill, requiring surgery on August 18 and placement on injured reserve on August 19, which sidelined him for the entire season. The injury ultimately led Frye to retire from playing in 2010 at age 29. Frye's time in Oakland provided short-term depth and a spot-starting option during the team's quarterback instability, though his contributions were limited by the brief tenure and injury-plagued 2010.

Professional statistics

Charlie Frye appeared in 26 regular-season games over five seasons from 2005 to 2009, starting 23 of them, primarily as a for the , , and . His career passing totals include 4,154 yards on 419 completions out of 677 attempts, with 17 touchdowns and 29 interceptions, resulting in a of 68.0. In rushing, Frye accumulated 347 yards on 72 attempts and scored 4 touchdowns. Frye's performance varied by season, with his most extensive play occurring in 2006 when he started all 13 games for the Browns. The following table summarizes his passing statistics by year:
YearTeamGames (Starts)Completions/AttemptsYardsTDsINTsPasser Rating
2005CLE7 (5)98/1641,0024575.7
2006CLE13 (13)252/3932,454101772.2
2007CLE1 (1)4/10340122.9
2008SEA2 (1)12/23832274.0
2009OAK3 (3)53/875811465.3
Career-26 (23)419/6774,154172968.0
By team, Frye threw for 3,490 yards with across 21 games, 83 yards with the Seahawks in 2 games, and 581 yards with the Raiders in 3 games. His overall completion percentage stood at 61.9%, with 6.1 yards per attempt—metrics that placed him below league averages for quarterbacks during his active years, where the typical hovered around 80 to 83. These figures reflect a career hampered by turnovers, as his rate exceeded 4% in most seasons. Injuries significantly curtailed Frye's playing time and contributed to the brevity of his professional tenure, limiting him to just six starts after his rookie year. A broken wrist in 2006 sidelined him for three games with the Browns, while a concussion in 2009 did not prevent him from starting the final two games, and wrist surgery in 2010 training camp placed him on injured reserve with the Raiders before the regular season began, effectively ending his NFL career.

Coaching career

High school coaching

Following his retirement from the NFL in 2010 due to a season-ending wrist injury that required surgery, Charlie Frye transitioned to at the high school level. Frye began his coaching career in 2012 as the at Jones High School in , where he was hired by his former NFL teammate Kenard Lang, the head coach. He served in that role for two seasons (2012–2013), focusing on developing offensive strategies and mentoring quarterbacks and skill position players. In 2014, Frye followed Lang to Wekiva High School in , continuing as through the 2015 season while also teaching . His responsibilities included designing play-calling schemes tailored to high school athletes and emphasizing quarterback development alongside wide receivers and running backs. Under Frye's guidance at Wekiva, the Mustangs achieved significant milestones, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in school history in 2014. This early phase of his coaching tenure, spanning 2012 to 2015, provided foundational experience at the grassroots level before advancing to higher education roles.

College coaching

From 2015 to 2017, Frye served as a consultant and director of player development at the , working under head coach . Frye's collegiate coaching career began in 2018 when he joined as the volunteer wide receivers coach for the Division II program. In this role, he worked under head coach Lee Owens, a former mentor from his playing days at the , contributing to the Eagles' offensive development by mentoring a group that included 16 receivers who recorded at least one reception during the . In , Frye advanced to the role of and quarterbacks coach at , where he spent two seasons under head coach . That year, his offense led the in total yards with 6,070 and ranked 11th nationally in passing offense, helping the Chippewas secure the MAC West Division title and improve by seven wins to finish 8-5 overall. Frye mentored quarterbacks and Mike Hurley, coaching two student-athletes to All-MAC honors while implementing a balanced scheme that ranked third in the conference for rushing yards per game in 2020. Frye transitioned to an off-field role in 2022 as offensive analyst and analytics coordinator at Penn State University. In this position, he supported the Nittany Lions' staff by providing data-driven insights into offensive strategies, contributing to the team's 10-2 regular season record and appearance in the Rose Bowl, where they defeated 35-21. Frye returned to on-field coaching in December 2022 as and quarterbacks coach at under head coach , holding the position through the 2024 season. He called plays and focused on development, notably improving the ' completion percentage from 57.4% (97th nationally in 2022) to 64.3% (31st nationally in 2023) despite injuries to key players like Casey Thompson. Frye's scheme emphasized player mentoring and program advancement, supporting wide receiver LaJohntay Wester's breakout performance with 1,168 receiving yards and leading the conference in receptions per game.

NFL coaching

Frye's entry into NFL coaching occurred in 2021 when he joined the as quarterbacks coach under . In this role, he primarily worked with second-year quarterback , whom Frye had previously coached during Tagovailoa's high school days at the camp in 2016. Under Frye's guidance, Tagovailoa started 13 games in 2021, completing 67.9% of his passes for 2,653 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, contributing to the Dolphins' 9-8 record and playoff appearance. This position marked Frye's first professional coaching stint in the NFL after several years in college football. After his time with the Dolphins, Frye returned to collegiate coaching at Penn State and before re-entering the in 2025. On March 18, 2025, the Minnesota Vikings hired him as a defensive assistant, reuniting him with , now the Vikings' defensive coordinator. This appointment represented Frye's first defensive coaching role, a notable shift from his offensive background as a former and quarterbacks coach, aimed at broadening his expertise in scheme analysis and overall defensive preparation. In his Vikings position, Frye's responsibilities include player development, breaking down opponent film for strategic insights, and collaborating with the defensive staff to refine game plans. His contributions have focused on supporting the unit's transition under Flores, emphasizing adaptability in defensive alignments despite his offensive pedigree. As of November 2025, Frye continues to serve in this capacity with the .

Personal life

Family and background

Charlie Frye was born on August 28, 1981, in Willard, , a small town in Huron County where he grew up with his parents, Dave and Sally Frye, and an older brother, Clay, who is five years his senior. His family maintained deep roots in the community, with Frye's uncle serving as the local police chief, contributing to a close-knit, small-town environment that shaped his early life. Frye earned a degree in exercise science from the in 2005. He met his wife, Lenette—who attended Nordonia High School and —in 2006, and the couple married around 2010. They have two sons and a daughter, and Frye has described his family as a central priority in his post-playing career. Following his retirement from professional football in 2010, Frye has remained connected to his origins while relocating for roles, including stints in and his with the Minnesota Vikings as of 2025. Public details on his residence remain private, reflecting a low-profile focused on family amid his professional commitments. Information on Frye's non-athletic interests is limited, though during his college years, he participated in efforts, such as initiatives with Akron and university student programs. Overall, Frye has kept his family life out of the spotlight, prioritizing privacy over public disclosure in contrast to his more visible athletic and coaching endeavors.

Honors and recognition

During his high school career at Willard High School in Willard, , Frye broke 17 all-time football records and led the Crimson Flashes to a 10-2 record and the Northern championship, prompting the school to retire his No. 3 jersey in 2011, which is displayed in the school's commons and on the field. At the , Frye earned the Mid-American Conference's Vern Smith Award in 2004, the conference's highest honor for a football student-athlete, recognizing his exceptional leadership and performance as the ' quarterback. In tribute to his contributions and his No. 5 jersey, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic declared November 5, 2004, as "Charlie Frye-Day" ahead of a home game against Marshall. Frye was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014 as part of the class that highlighted his record-setting career, where he started 45 of 46 games, set 54 school records, and became the 16th Akron selected in the NFL Draft. Frye has kept a low profile regarding additional personal honors beyond his athletic achievements, with no major new recognitions reported as of November 2025.

References

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