Turning the page: Frias takes over Mayfield football

Inside the Mayfield High School field house, the sound of weights clanking and players moving through their stretches fills the space as offseason workouts continue.  

For new head coach Joseph Frias, those early moments have already offered a glimpse into what this program could become — not one starting from scratch, but one ready to move forward with a new identity.  

“I don't call it a rebuild,” Frias said. “I call it a reload the gun.”  

Frias arrives at Mayfield after leading Chaparral to an 8-4 season and a playoff appearance, bringing experience from a program that found success in district play. A native of El Paso, Frias said the opportunity to take over a program with Mayfield’s history and tradition was one he couldn’t pass up, especially with what he believes is already in place. 

“Don’t miss out on opportunities,” Frias said. “They’ve got a great foundation here.” 

That foundation, he said, begins with the players — something he noticed immediately after arriving.  

“You cannot really coach that — their effort, their dedication,” Frias said. “As you saw, they were waiting for me.” 

In a program coming off a difficult season, those details carry weight. For Frias, they signal a group that is already willing to buy in, even as a new system and coaching staff are introduced.  

That early buy-in has been felt throughout the season. 

“We like the energy he’s bringing,” senior Nathaniel Dominguez said. “It’s something that we haven’t seen.”  

Senior Israel Cabanas said the change has been noticeable throughout the program. 

“People are more excited to come to football,” Cabanas said. “We just haven’t stopped since.” 

For a team looking to regain its footing, that change in mindset has been just as important as anything happening on the field. For Frias, those early signs tie directly into a larger focus on culture, something he believes will ultimately define Mayfield football moving forward.  

“One of the things right away is going to be a family atmosphere,” Frias said. “If it’s a brother-type feeling, you’re going to play for each other.” 

That philosophy extends beyond the players and into the coaching staff he has assembled. Frias has brought several familiar faces from Chaparral with him, creating continuity as the program begins to take shape. Defensive coordinator Stephen White said that familiarity and trust played a major role in his decision to join Frias at Mayfield.  

“Being around good people is what makes you want to do that,” White said. 

White, who brings experience from the professional level, said the goal is to establish a standard that prepares players for more than just Friday nights. 

“A professional culture,” he said about the standard at the prestigious program. “Start giving them that now so they can be prepared for the next level.”  

At the same time, he understands what Mayfield football has represented in the past — and what it can return to.  

“You’ve got to bring your hard hat,” White said, referring to the toughness traditionally associated with the program.  

That identity is something Frias wants to reestablish, emphasizing a physical and disciplined style of play. 

“We are going to be very aggressive,” Frias said. “You’ve got to be violent.” 

While schemes and systems will continue to develop over the coming months, Frias and his staff have made it clear that identity and culture will come first, and it will continue to grow a foundation they believe will translate into results.  

The belief is already beginning to take hold among the players, particularly as leadership within the team continues to grow.  

“We feel pretty confident,” Dominguez said. “We like the energy that he’s bringing.” 

For a program trying to take the next step, that confidence could play a key role in how quickly the team progresses.  

Beyond the field, Frias said reconnecting with the community will also be a priority as the program moves forward, with the goal of bringing energy not just to the team, but to Friday nights as well. 

“Be prepared, trust the process,” Frias said. “It’s going to be a winning atmosphere.” 

In a city where high school football carries deep significance, the idea of a revitalized Mayfield program is one that extends beyond the field house. For Frias, that responsibility is part of the opportunity, and part of the challenge. 

And while the season is still months away, expectations inside the program are already clear. For a team looking to reestablish itself, the goal is simply to improve, and to compete. 

“We’re not coming in just to participate,” White said. “We’re coming in to win every game.”  

For Frias, the belief in what the program can become is already there. 

“I believe in myself, I believe in the coaching staff, and I believe in the kids,” Frias said. “It’s going to be phenomenal for the community.”