BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – Al Fracassa, Brother Rice football coaching icon, died Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, at age 92.
Fracassa coached high school football in the Metro Detroit area for more than 50 years.
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He began his career at Royal Oak Shrine in 1960 and took over at Brother Rice in 1969, where he remained until retiring in 2013.
He finished his career with 430 wins and nine state championships.
According to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, Fracassa sent more than 300 players on to college football, including 13 who reached the NFL.
In a social media post, the school called Fracassa a “legendary leader, mentor, and unwavering champion of the Brother Rice community.”
“For over five decades, Coach Fracassa was much more than just a coach; he was a cornerstone of our school. With a record that ranks among the best in Michigan and nationwide, he not only built winning teams but also shaped young men. His legacy is defined not just by championships, but by the character he instilled in his players.He taught us to “do it better than it’s ever been done before” and to “do it right all the time.” Not because it was easy, but because excellence demands it.May he rest in peace. Let us honor him by practicing the values he instilled in us: hard work, integrity, and faith, both on and off the field.”
Brother Rice High School