It is a new era for the Owensboro High School boys’ basketball program, as earlier this morning, Greg Franklin was announced as the new head coach. Franklin is no stranger to the 3rd Region, having played for Muhlenberg County High School, where he led them to the 1989 3rd Region title and also scored 2,233 points in his career.
“We are thrilled to welcome Greg to our community”, Owensboro High School Athletic Director Todd Harper said. “His passion for the game, dedication to mentoring young athletes, and vision for building a competitive program make him the ideal choice to lead our team into the future.”
Most recently, Franklin was the head coach at Garden City Junior College in Garden City, Kansas. Before that, he was the Head Women’s Coach at Chipola College in Marianna, FL – leading them to the NJCAA National Tournament six times and winning it in 2015.
He also won three Region VIII titles and two Panhandle Conference crowns. After leading the Lady Indians to a 34-1 record and their first National Championship, he was named the 2015 NJCAA Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year.
Franklin also spent time as an assistant women’s coach for five years at Mississippi State under Sharon Fanning. Together, the duo reached the Sweet 16 in 2010. Before that, he served as the Head Coach and Athletic Director at Southeastern Illinois, where he compiled a 154-25 record and led his team to a fourth-place finish at the 2006-07 National Tournament.
“A dynamic leader with a proven track record of success, Franklin brings experience, energy, and a strong commitment to student-athlete development both on and off the court,” Harper said in the school’s press release. “In addition to coaching, Franklin is committed to fostering academic excellence and character development, emphasizing teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills that extend beyond the court.”
After making a name for himself at Muhlenberg County, he attended Austin Peay State University, playing for them from 1989-1993 and graduating with a bachelor’s degree. He was an All-Ohio Valley selection three times and finished with more than 1,000 career points.
“I am honored to join Owensboro High School and excited to get to work,” said Franklin. “This program has a great tradition and I look forward to building on that tradition with a culture of hard work, accountability, and success with our student-athletes.”
