Rex Brown/Courtesy The Journal

Daniel High School administrators announced Tuesday that the school has hired Jeff Fruster as its new head football coach. Fruster will replace Randy Robinson, who left earlier this month to become head coach at Berkeley High School in Moncks Corner.

By Robbie Tinsley
Courtesy The Journal

rtinsley@thepccourier.com

CENTRAL — Jeff Fruster has climbed the ladder of the Daniel High School football program.

From a player on two state championship-winning teams to an assistant coach and then a defensive coordinator under Randy Robinson, Fruster completed his ascent on Tuesday when he was named the Lions’ new head coach.

“I can’t (express) how thankful I am for this opportunity,” he said during his first meeting with the media. “Daniel’s a special place, and the hope is that it will continue to be a special place. I’m hoping to continue a legacy and uphold a level of tradition.”

Fruster’s promotion completes the quick-fire transition in the aftermath of Robinson’s sudden departure to Berkeley High School on April 7.

Fruster said he owes a lot to Robinson — his position coach during his time as a linebacker for the Lions from 1995-98, then later his boss after convincing him to take his first assistant coaching job in 2006 following a stint in the business world in his first couple years after college.

“Let me tell you — Randy Robinson is a class act,” Fruster said. “He’s been in constant contact with me from the beginning of the search. I wish him nothing but the best at Berkeley. Randy has always been a person I could look to for answers. He’s someone I will continue to look up to, because I owe a lot of my success to him.”

Fruster began as the Lions’ outside linebackers coach before also spending time as junior varsity head coach and defensive coordinator. It was during his time in charge of the JV Lions that he first began to think about becoming a head coach. Meanwhile, he’s already won a state championship — as Daniel’s head track and field coach in 2013.

Fruster said he has benefitted greatly from the head coaches he’s been able to learn from during his time in football, including former Daniel head coach Allen Sitterle, Robinson and defensive coordinator-turned-head coach Tommy Spangler at Presbyterian College.

“There’s a lot of people who helped mold the person you see today,” he said.

Fruster said he wants to put his own stamp on the program and its process, but he doesn’t plan on changing too much because of how successful the Lions have been — Daniel has yet to miss the playoffs during Fruster’s 10-year stint on the coaching staff.

Fruster is just the fourth head football coach Daniel has hired in the past 56 years. Dick Singleton held the job from 1960-89 before giving way to Sitterle, who won four state championships during his time in charge of the program from 1990-2005 — including two whilst Fruster was a Lion (1995 and 1998) — and then Robinson.

Fruster has no plans of breaking the tradition of lengthy tenures on the Lions’ sideline.

“I would love to be here as long as they’ll have me,” he said. “This won’t be one of those three-or-four-coaches-in-three-or-four-years kind of deals. I have a lot of pride in this community.”

Fruster’s first practice in charge of the Lions will come on May 2 when the team opens spring ball.

Rocky Nimmons/Courier

Festivalgoers enjoyed picture-perfect weather for the annual Azalea Festival in Pickens on Saturday. The event drew thousands to downtown Pickens to enjoy live music, games, rides, food, arts and crafts and more. The festival season will continue in the county this Saturday, as Central will hold its annual Railroad Festival and the Pickens County Airport will host the annual Wings and Wheels for Meals. Rocky Nimmons/Courier