ROGERS -- Lamont Frazier said he had more than a few sleepless nights, first waiting to see if he would be considered for the Rogers High boys basketball job, and then if he wanted to take the position.
The 45-year-old Charleston, Mo., native ultimately decided the job was exactly right for him and the Rogers School Board approved his hiring at its regular meeting Tuesday night.
"For me, a lot of things make it unequivocally the right place for me," Frazier said in a phone interview. "Getting to visit with the people on the committee, I felt the sense of urgency to be successful. You can see the support, that thirst for success kinda draws you in.
"It's definitely a feeling of 'this is where I want to be, not something you're just settling for.' It's an opportunity to go in and have an impact on a situation that hasn't necessarily had a lot of success lately. I view that as a challenge for myself and feel honored they will give me the opportunity to make that difference."
Frazier replaces Wayne Herren, who resigned on March 31. Herren coached the Mounties for five seasons and guided them to one state tournament appearance. Rogers High finished 7-20 this season and 0-14 in the 7A-West Conference.
Mark Holderbaum, athletic director at Rogers Public Schools, said Frazier stood out among four finalists for the job.
"He just has a lot of qualities you look for in a potential head coach," Holderbaum said. "His knowledge of the game, his communication, his passion for the game and what he believes in and what going to bring to Mounties basketball.
"He wants our kids to be a positive impression in the school and the community. That's not just limited to basketball kids. He's got that feel toward kids in general, which is a great attribute for any educator."
Frazier, who will be paid $82,719 annually, spent the past five seasons at Willard, Mo., where he guided the Tigers to three district titles and two sectional wins. The Tigers finished 18-10 this season, losing in sectionals. He also has coaching experience in the collegiate ranks, spending six years as an assistant at Central Missouri State and two years at Lincoln University.
Frazier also played basketball at Missouri, serving as captain for the 1993-94 Tigers team that finished 28-4 and made the Elite Eight. He also helped Charleston (Mo.) High School to three state titles in four seasons and was named tournament MVP as a senior. The 6-foot-4 Frazier also played one season on the Missouri football team after his basketball eligibility was exhausted and earned second-team All-Big Eight honors as a tight end.
Frazier has two daughters, Ali, 21, and Ana, a senior at Willard who will attend Missouri State in the fall and his wife, Leslie.
Sports on 04/19/2017