E.K. Franks, a former University of Wisconsin and Kansas State University assistant, begins his second year at Southeastern Louisiana where he serves as the program’s Associate Head Coach while also coaching the Lion running backs.
Before his arrival in Hammond, Franks spent two seasons on Ron Roberts’ staff at Delta State where he coached the team’s defensive line.
In his first season at Southeastern, Franks molded one of the top freshmen running back tandems in the country as Xavier Roberson and Rasheed Harrell finished as the top two rushers for the Lions. The duo, who received the majority of playing time in the second half of the season, each recorded 100-yard games in a victory over Stephen F. Austin.
Roberson, who served as the Lions’ primary rusher in the final seven games of the 2012 season, finished as the eighth-leading rusher in the Southland Conference (44.4 yards per game) and was fourth overall in league games (64.4 yards). In six games on the season, Harrell averaged a team-high 62.7 yards per game on a team-best 5.2 yards per carry average while recording 76.8 yards per game in the Lions’ final five league contests.
Franks coached a pair of First-Team All-Gulf South Conference selections in 2011 as Anthony Daniels and Mark Hoskins were each selected by the league’s head coaches. Hoskins and Robbie Mayers were each named to the NCAA Division II Super Region 2 squad as the Statesmen led the Gulf South Conference in total defense and rushing defense.
In Franks’ first year at Delta State, the Statesmen advanced to the NCAA DII National Championship game and their third Gulf South Conference title in four years with an 11-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in the GSC. DSU fell short of their goal of winning the title on a last second game-winning field goal by Minnesota-Duluth, 20-17.
Delta State’s “Green Shirts” defense played a fast-paced and frenetic style that led the Statesmen to 19 interceptions and 27 forced fumbles. Led by Garrett Williams, who recorded 130 tackles and tied the school record interceptions in a season with eight, DSU allowed 372.7 yards per game, but bristled during the postseason surrendering less than 250 yards per game in postseason.
Franks, who spent the past few years out of coaching in the private business sector, last worked on the staff of Barry Alverez and Bret Bielema at the University of Wisconsin from 2004-2006. At UW, Franks served as a defensive assistant, working with the defensive coordinator on opponent planning, defensive recruiting, player development and camp administration.
Prior to joining the Badgers staff, Franks served as the defensive line coach on the Texas State staff under then-defensive coordinator Ron Roberts. While under Franks’ leadership, the Bobcats defensive line helped the unit rank third in the Southland Conference in pass defense, rush defense, turnovers and sacks in 2003.
The Wellington, Kan., native began his collegiate coaching career as a strength and conditioning coach for legendary Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder. Franks collaboratively managed and supervised the strength programs for over 100 Wildcat football players and assisted with the training of over 100 Lady Wildcats from 2000-2001.
Aside from coaching, Franks also served as an academic counselor for Kansas State Athletics from 2001-2003. He monitored and tracked the academic progress of Wildcat student-athletes, while providing academic mentoring and tutoring assistance for those in need. He developed and arranged academic workshops and provided KSU student-athletes with the resources they needed to succeed in the classroom.
His coaching career got its start as the defensive backs/strength coach at Heritage Hall High School in Oklahoma City, Okla., from 1996-2000. While at Heritage Hall, Franks helped raise money for a state-of-the-art weight facility, while coordinating the strength and conditioning efforts of HHHS student-athletes.
Franks attended the University of Oklahoma and Missouri State University before completing his bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Central Oklahoma in 2000. He later earned his master’s degree in adult education from Kansas State University in 2002.
While at OU, Franks was a standout wrestler under former Sooners coach Stan Abel. He would transfer to Missouri State where he would close his collegiate career as a defensive back for the Bears.
After graduating, Franks coached and trained athletes in the Oklahoma City, Okla., area as owner/personal fitness instructor of Franks Fitness from 1995-2000. He also worked as a strength instructor at St. Anthony Sports Science Center in Oklahoma City from 1993-1995.
An active community leader, Franks serves on the board of the Kansas-based non-profit S.A.F.E., Success Achieved in Future Environments, which helps mentor youth through athletics.
During his career, Franks has coached hundreds of successful student-athletes including: Wes Welker (Denver Broncos), Terrance Newman (Dallas Cowboys), Darren Sproles (New Orleans Saints), Sheldon Williams (Atlanta Hawks), Nicole Ohlde (Minnesota Lynx), Laurie Koehn (Washington Mystics), Brian Aylor (New York Yankees) and Mitch Simons (Montreal Expos).
