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Charlie Frye
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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
[edit]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
[edit]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]| 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+7⁄8 in (1.93 m) |
225 lb (102 kg) |
31+1⁄8 in (0.79 m) |
8+7⁄8 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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Nathan Lindquist (September 29, 2005). "Akron left to deal with life after Charlie Frye". www.northernstar.info. Northern Illinois University. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ "Akron faces Buckeyes with rookie QB". www.irontribune.com. The Tribune. September 7, 2001. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ John Zenor (January 30, 2005). "Frye MVP of North's Senior Bowl win". www.peninsulaclarion.com. Peninsula Clarion. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ "Charlie Frye Stats". www.sports-reference.com. USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ "Historical NFL Wonderlic Scores". wonderlictestsample.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Charlie Frye, Akron, QB, 2005 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
- ^ "Charlie Frye, Combine Results, QB - Akron". nflcombineresults.com. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ "2005 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ "Browns' Frye finds ally in Kosar". Toledo Blade. May 21, 2006. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ "Browns begin on a Frye day". Toledo Blade. July 27, 2006. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ "Browns trade starting QB Frye to Seattle; Dorsey signed". www.covers.com. Covers Media Group Ltd. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ^ "Wekiva first year coach Kenard Lang bringing hope and promise to the program. - tribunedigital-orlandosentinel". Archived from the original on June 13, 2015.
- ^ "Central Florida football teams filled with well-known assistants - tribunedigital-orlandosentinel". Archived from the original on June 13, 2015.
- ^ "Kenard Lang resigns as Jones football coach, takes head coaching job at Wekiva".
- ^ @EvanPetzold (January 7, 2019). "BREAKING: Former NFL QB Charlie Frye..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Penn State football coaching staff adds Charlie Frye, ex-NFL QB, as offensive analyst".
- ^ "The Blitz: Monday January 25".
- ^ "Charlie Frye agrees to become Florida Atlantic OC, sources say". December 26, 2022.
- ^ "Vikings Hire Jordan Traylor & Charlie Frye to Coaching Staff". Vikings.com. March 18, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
- ^ "Charlie Frye (2014) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics".
External links
[edit]- FAU profile
- Akron profile at the Wayback Machine (archived December 10, 2005)
Charlie Frye
View on GrokipediaEarly years
Early life
Charlie Frye was born on August 28, 1981, in Willard, Ohio, a small town in northern Ohio with a population of around 6,200.[1] He was the third of four children born to his parents, Dave Frye, an engineer, and Sally Frye, a teacher's aide.[6] 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.[6] Weekends often involved family gatherings at a private lake, featuring activities such as pontoon boating, jet-skiing, and volleyball, which contributed to his early athletic development.[6] 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.[6] By age seven, he served as a water boy for Willard High School's football team, and by eighth grade, he was charting plays during games.[6] A devoted Cleveland Browns fan from a young age, Frye idolized quarterback Bernie Kosar, whom he met at age five at a Chuck E. Cheese event, and even dressed as a Browns player for Halloween.[6] 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.[6] 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 education in math.[6] This foundation in local community sports activities nurtured his passion for football, leading him to join the Willard High School team as a freshman.[6]High school career
Charlie Frye attended Willard High School in Willard, Ohio, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete, primarily in football and basketball.[5] In football, Frye played quarterback for the Crimson Flashes under coach Chris Hawkins 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-Ohio Division III honors.[5][7] 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 Crimson Flashes' 22-3 overall record and undefeated 14-0 mark in the Northern Ohio League, culminating in the league championship under coach Jim Fox.[8][9] Frye's versatility as a dual-sport standout highlighted his athletic prowess and leadership, paving the way for his recruitment to the University of Akron.[7]College career
University of Akron
Charlie Frye enrolled at the University of Akron in 2000, joining the Akron Zips football program as a quarterback, 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.[10][11][1] He earned a Wonderlic score of 38 at the NFL Combine, highlighting his cognitive aptitude alongside his physical tools.[12] Frye assumed the starting quarterback 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 Zips in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).[3][5] 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 Zips 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 quarterback and earning induction into the University of Akron Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.[3] In recognition of his contributions and wearing jersey number 5, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic declared November 5, 2004—coinciding with a Friday game—as "Charlie Frye Day," celebrating his impact on the university and community.[3] Following his senior season, Frye was named the MVP of the 2005 Senior Bowl, where he completed 10 of 12 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown in the North team's 23-13 victory.[13]College statistics
Charlie Frye concluded his college career at the University of Akron with impressive passing totals, accumulating 11,049 yards, 64 touchdowns, and 32 interceptions over 46 games played from 2001 to 2004.[4] His completion percentage stood at 63.6% on 913 completions out of 1,436 attempts, averaging 7.7 yards per attempt and earning a passer rating of 137.4.[4] Frye's statistical progression showed steady improvement, particularly in touchdown 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:| Year | Games | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Yards | TDs | INTs | Yards/Att | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 11 | 170 | 289 | 58.8 | 2,053 | 9 | 6 | 7.1 | 124.6 |
| 2002 | 12 | 250 | 380 | 65.8 | 2,824 | 15 | 9 | 7.4 | 136.5 |
| 2003 | 12 | 273 | 421 | 64.8 | 3,549 | 22 | 9 | 8.4 | 148.6 |
| 2004 | 11 | 220 | 346 | 63.6 | 2,623 | 18 | 8 | 7.6 | 139.8 |
| Career | 46 | 913 | 1,436 | 63.6 | 11,049 | 64 | 32 | 7.7 | 137.4 |
| Year | Games | Carries | Yards | Yards/Carry | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 11 | 62 | 22 | 0.4 | 3 |
| 2002 | 12 | 102 | 125 | 1.2 | 7 |
| 2003 | 12 | 111 | 288 | 2.6 | 7 |
| 2004 | 11 | 100 | -6 | -0.1 | 2 |
| Career | 46 | 375 | 429 | 1.1 | 19 |
Professional career
Cleveland Browns
Charlie Frye was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round, 67th overall, of the 2005 NFL Draft.[1] As a rookie, he began the season as the backup to Trent Dilfer but took over as starter after Dilfer suffered a high ankle sprain 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.[14] His NFL debut came in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns to wide receiver Braylon Edwards with no interceptions, though the Browns lost 20-14; however, as a young quarterback 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 Romeo Crennel.[15][14] In 2006, Frye solidified his role as the primary starter for the Browns, appearing in 13 games and starting all 13 with a 4-9 record, as Cleveland ended the season 4-12.[16] He passed for 2,454 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions 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.[16][17] The 2007 season marked a turbulent end to Frye's Browns tenure; he started the opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers but was benched at halftime after completing 4 of 10 passes for 34 yards and one interception, with Crennel opting for backup Derek Anderson.[18] Frye appeared in only one more game as a reserve before the Browns traded him to the Seattle Seahawks on September 11, 2007, in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, concluding his three-year stint in Cleveland.[19] 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.[1]Seattle Seahawks
Charlie Frye was acquired by the Seattle Seahawks via trade from the Cleveland Browns on September 11, 2007, in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.[20] From 2007 to 2008, Frye served primarily as the third-string quarterback behind starter Matt Hasselbeck and backup Seneca Wallace on a Seahawks team coached by Mike Holmgren.[21] 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.[22] Frye's most notable contribution came in his lone start with Seattle, a Week 6 matchup against the Green Bay Packers 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.[1] He appeared in one additional game that season without recording statistics.[1] Frye's tenure bolstered the Seahawks' quarterback depth chart during a turbulent 2008 campaign marked by offensive struggles and injuries, offering a reliable emergency option without disrupting the primary hierarchy.[23] As an unrestricted free agent after the season, he departed Seattle to sign with the Oakland Raiders in 2009.[24]Oakland Raiders
Frye signed with the Oakland Raiders as an unrestricted free agent on June 8, 2009, joining the team as a backup quarterback behind JaMarcus Russell.[25] Under head coach Tom Cable, Frye entered a competitive quarterback 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 touchdown, and four interceptions across those appearances, despite suffering a concussion in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos but being cleared to play the following weeks.[26][27][28] Frye re-signed with the Raiders on March 15, 2010, to a one-year contract worth $1.226 million, remaining in a backup role.[25] However, during training camp on August 5, 2010, he suffered a severe wrist ligament 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.[29] The injury ultimately led Frye to retire from playing in 2010 at age 29.[30] 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.[31]Professional statistics
Charlie Frye appeared in 26 regular-season games over five NFL seasons from 2005 to 2009, starting 23 of them, primarily as a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, Seattle Seahawks, and Oakland Raiders. His career passing totals include 4,154 yards on 419 completions out of 677 attempts, with 17 touchdowns and 29 interceptions, resulting in a passer rating of 68.0.[1] In rushing, Frye accumulated 347 yards on 72 attempts and scored 4 touchdowns.[1] 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:| Year | Team | Games (Starts) | Completions/Attempts | Yards | TDs | INTs | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | CLE | 7 (5) | 98/164 | 1,002 | 4 | 5 | 75.7 |
| 2006 | CLE | 13 (13) | 252/393 | 2,454 | 10 | 17 | 72.2 |
| 2007 | CLE | 1 (1) | 4/10 | 34 | 0 | 1 | 22.9 |
| 2008 | SEA | 2 (1) | 12/23 | 83 | 2 | 2 | 74.0 |
| 2009 | OAK | 3 (3) | 53/87 | 581 | 1 | 4 | 65.3 |
| Career | - | 26 (23) | 419/677 | 4,154 | 17 | 29 | 68.0 |