Orange City, Iowa – Former Northwestern College quarterback Blake Fryar has been named as the new offensive coordinator for the Red Raider football team.
After three seasons leading the offense for Red Raider football, Josh Fakkema, has stepped away from his position to pursue other career opportunities.
A 2022 Northwestern graduate with a degree in business administration and sport management, Fryar returns to Orange City with a bolstered coaching resume.
Last season, Fryar served as the wide receivers coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where his position group accounted for 261.0 yards per game and 61 touchdowns. The wide receivers’ group was highlighted by First Team All-WIAC wide receiver Trevor Syse. The Pioneers advanced to the NCAA Division III Round of 16, compiling a record of 9-3. Prior to his time at UW-Platteville, Fryar spent two seasons at the University of South Dakota as a quality control coach working under offensive coordinator, Josh Davis, whom he played under while at Northwestern.
“I’m honored to accept the offensive coordinator position at Northwestern College, and I’m thankful for the opportunity Coach McCarty and the administration has given me,” Fryar said. “Red Raider football has a strong tradition of excellence, and I look forward to getting to work with our coaching staff and student-athletes!”
Fryar’s playing career at Northwestern was marked with success, throwing for 3,566 yards and 40 touchdowns. He was named an Honorable Mention All-GPAC selection in 2021 and started the 2020 NAIA Championship game. In his senior season, Fryar represented his team as a captain for the 2022 NAIA National Championship team.
“We are excited to have Blake join our staff,” head coach Matt McCarty stated. “He brings great experience as a coach at a couple of very successful programs. Blake is a winner and understands what it takes to compete at a high level.”
Fryar’s predecessor, Fakkema, leaves behind a successful legacy as the offensive coordinator, helping guide Northwestern to a 29-8 record and a 2023 national runners-up trophy. Under Fakkema’s leadership, the Raider offense boasted 13 All-GPAC selections, including the 2023 NAIA Player of the Year in Jalyn Gramstad.
“We are grateful for Josh’s commitment to Raider football,” McCarty added. “He was one of our first commits when I started as head coach and has played a big part in our success as both a player and coach. I am thankful for his investment and wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
In his first two seasons, the Raiders averaged 423.1 yards per game in 2023 and 355.6 yards of offense in 2024. In Northwestern’s 2024 regular season finale against Briar Cliff, the offense ran wild, compiling a school-record 531 rushing yards and putting 71 points on the board, the most in a single game since 1978.
“I’m beyond thankful for my time at Northwestern as a player and coach,” Fakkema said. “Northwestern will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Prior to coming back to Northwestern as a graduate assistant for the 2022 season, Fakkema spent one season (2021) as a graduate assistant coach at Clarion University (Pa.), an NCAA Division II program, as the tight ends coach. Before his promotion to offensive coordinator in 2023, he also was a graduate assistant for the NWC baseball program and head coach Brian Wede.
Fakkema was a five-year member of the Red Raider baseball and football programs. As a four-year starter for Coach Matt McCarty, he was a three-time All-Conference performer and a team captain in 2020.
KIWA Staff Photo
