Mustangs coach gallops into coaches hall of fame

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Dave Frantz always has been influenced by those around him who have been deemed successful.

The Lakewood Ranch High boys golf coach grew up following in the footsteps of his older brother, Will, who was recently inducted into the North Florida PGA Hall of Fame.

And when he decided to pursue a teaching and coaching career instead of becoming a PGA professional, he looked to those around him, particularly Southeast High football coach Paul Maechtle and girls basketball coach John Harder, for guidance.

Now, after having spent years looking up to some of Manatee County’s most tenured and successful coaches, Frantz is about to walk alongside them.

On July 18, former Manatee High coach Mike Knowles contacted Frantz and told him he had been selected for induction into the Florida Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame. Frantz will be inducted into the exclusive club Jan. 12 in Daytona Beach, becoming the first golf-only coach from Manatee County to receive the honor.

“I was floored,” Frantz said. “It’s a great honor. I must be doing some things right. It’s kind of a validation of something I’ve dreamt about since I started coaching in 1986.

“It’s always been in the way back of my mind,” Frantz said. “It’s always been a goal of mine. It’s nice to achieve it while I’m still active.”

Frantz didn’t look into the criteria for nomination until his assistant coach approached him about it after Lakewood won the Class 2A state championship in November.

Frantz went ahead and filled out the paperwork, but he didn’t expect to get voted in the first time around.

“It’s kind of weird to nominate yourself, but he’s like, ‘You deserve this,’” Frantz said. “I wasn’t expecting to get in the first year.”

Coaches are awarded points based on their district, regional and state titles, but Frantz’s dedication to high school golf, including having spent 11 years as the FACA state golf chairman, a non-paid volunteer position, is what helped aid his nomination.

Frantz grew up playing golf and upon graduation he thought about becoming a PGA professional. But while working at Palm-Aire Country Club, Frantz met one of the members, who happened to be the director of personnel for the Manatee County School Board. It was at that point that Frantz had a decision to make.

He ultimately chose teaching and began coaching in 1986 at Southeast. Since then, Frantz has amassed a 623-200 record en route to capturing seven district titles and three regional titles.

He’s made 11 tournament appearances, finishing as the state runner-up twice, once in 1990 at Southeast and again in 2010 at Lakewood Ranch, before leading the Mustangs to their first state championship in 2011.

“That’s a lot of teams,” Frantz said. “That’s a lot of days. I’m able to do what I’m able to do because of my wife (Melissa). She gives me the support. Coaches’ wives are tremendous assets.”

This fall, the 2011 Coach of the Year will embark on his 28th season at the helm. After having spent most of his career providing all of his players’ instruction, Frantz has changed his focused now toward psychology and course management.

Frantz plans to continue coaching until he retires, probably in the next seven years, and, then, turn his attention toward other endeavors, including possibly giving golf lessons or working at a junior golf academy.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].