PREP FOOTBALL: Roberts sings Fraser’s praises

By Bart Isley

Published: May 8, 2008

Odds are good that a young Dyrell Roberts caught Chris Fraser’s eye, but something about Smithfield’s coach stood out to Roberts too.
“I first met him when I was playing J.V. and he was the head coach for the varsity team,” Roberts said. “He talked to me and I could tell he was a cool, laidback guy.”
From there a special relationship was born that eventually led to a pair of playoff appearances and a scholarship to play football for Virginia Tech for Roberts under Fraser’s tutelage.
Fraser will now try and develop the same kind of success at Charlottesville High as the Black Knights’ new head football coach.
Roberts was the Packers’ offensive centerpiece and also starred on defense for Smithfield. Roberts rushed for 2,236 yards, passed for 257 and piled up 148 receiving yards for Smithfield as a senior en route to being tabbed the No. 3 prospect in his class by the Roanoke Times.
Fraser received rave reviews from a number of colleagues and co-workers during the interview process, but Roberts seems to be one of his biggest fans.
“His coaching style was great,” Roberts said. “... Do you know how some coaches can get on your nerves and keep nagging and nagging? He just got the things in your head that needed to be done and he would leave it at that. He would just leave it up to you to get things done, but at the same time, if you get off the subject that is at hand, he knows how to bring you back to the right state of mind.”
Charlottesville’s administration raved about Fraser’s ability to bring the entire package to the situation. He has a strong understanding of the game and has made efforts to expand that knowledge throughout his career including a clinic with Louisa County’s Mark Fischer a while back on principles of the single-wing offense.
“We were particularly pleased with the way that he prepares for opponents,” said Charlottesville’s incoming principal Thomas Taylor. “He’s the right guy for us because he’s the best fit.”
Fraser will teach health and physical education at Charlottesville like he did at Smithfield.
Fraser seems to be open-minded and willing to adapt his system around his talent, which is why he was cautious about labeling himself with any particular style.
He proved his adaptability with the creative and multi-faceted use of Roberts during his Smithfield career.
He’s also well-versed in the recruiting process, with an extensive list of
connections accumulated during his 27-year coaching career, all of which he’s spent in Virginia.
“He knew all the people that were recruiting me and whenever I needed him to put in a good word or to take me somewhere, he always had my back,” Roberts said.
It’s clear that Fraser’s departure will be felt in Smithfield.
“A whole lot of people are going to miss him,” Roberts said. “He was one of the best coaches Smithfield ever had. They are really going to miss him in the area.”
— Staff writer Jay Jenkins contributed to this story.