"Coach's Corner- From Adversity to Destiny: Max Froslie’s Calling to Coach"

Max Froslie

@FroslieMax

Head Coach A & B – Fargo Davies High School (ND)

15U Grey Coach – Sanford Sports Academy Basketball Fargo

Max’s basketball journey was never meant to be ordinary. It began like many others, with a five-year-old falling in love with the game, spending every ounce of free time in the gym, grinding, dreaming, and preparing for a future on the court. By the time he reached high school, he was playing varsity minutes as a sophomore and starting as a junior. The stage was set for his senior year to be the one that launched his college career—until adversity struck.

On the eve of that final season, Max tore his ACL. Suddenly, all the college interests he had gathered felt uncertain. What he thought would be a year of shining became a year of silence, watching from the sidelines. Yet in that pain, God revealed His plan. His varsity coach, Bart Manson, asked him to pour into the younger players, to “coach” them up even as he healed. What could have been the end of his story became the beginning of a calling.

Max pushed forward, still determined to play. He rehabbed, took visits to JUCOs, NAIA schools, D3, and D2 programs. The University of Mary, a D2 school, showed constant faith in him, with Coach Nelson believing in his ability to return. Max committed and fought his way back onto the floor—until, at the very first official practice, his knee gave out again. Another ACL tear. Another heartbreak. Devastated, he turned to his parents and Coach Bart for guidance. And this time, the answer was clear. His destiny was no longer between the lines, but on the sideline. Coaching wasn’t a consolation prize, but his true purpose.

Returning to Fargo Davies felt like coming home. It wasn’t just the right place; it was God’s place for him. Surrounded by a school and community filled with love, he stepped into a new role with gratitude, eager to give back to the program and the people who had shaped him as both a player and a man. His loyalty to Bart runs deep—he credits him not only for shaping his game but also for guiding him into the person and coach he is today.

Max’s first season as a head coach was a smashing success. His mindset in the gym is rooted in the pain that redirected his life: “Play every game, every rep, like it’s your last.” He makes sure his players understand how quickly the game can be taken away, that regret only comes when you hold something back. He is living proof of that, and his players trust every word.

His coaching influence stretches beyond high school. As a 15U Grey coach with Sanford Sports Academy, Max has also thrived on the AAU circuit. The challenges are real, with kids coming from all over North Dakota and Minnesota, making practices tough to organize, but the players' commitment fuels their success. Max is quick to give them the credit, reminding everyone that their hunger to learn and compete is what makes the team special.

Coaching has given Max rare perspective. He’s played alongside Division I talent, and now he coaches players chasing those same dreams. For him, the reward is not just in the wins, but in the lives he impacts while watching kids grow, not just as hoopers, but as men. He knows his playing days are behind him, but the love for the game still drives him. That love has been transformed into a mission: to pour every ounce of wisdom, passion, and fire into his players.

What does he tell them most? “Work every day like it’s your last time to play.” It’s not just advice, it’s his truth. It’s what he wishes he could go back and live out again—and it’s what he demands from the kids who now look to him as their leader.

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Max is energized. His Freshman A and B teams at Davies are loaded with eager, talented players who love the game. He believes they’ll shock people with how good they can be, not just because of their skill, but because of their work ethic and desire. The foundation is there for something special.

As for his future, Max keeps it in perspective. He dreams of one day being a head coach at the highest level possible, maybe even at a powerhouse D1 program. But he refuses to get ahead of himself. Right now, he’s locked into the moment, pouring everything into each day, each practice, each kid.

Max Froslie’s journey wasn’t cut short—it was redirected. What some might call tragedy, he calls destiny. His injuries may have taken away his chance to shine as a player, but they led him straight to the purpose God had prepared all along. And in that purpose, he’s building something far greater than stats or accolades; he’s building lives.