DENVER – The University of Denver men's soccer program has named Brad Franks an assistant coach, head coach Jamie Franks announced on Wednesday.
"Brad is going to add immediate value to the team and the entire DU Community," Jamie Franks said. "To be able to get someone with his experience both as a student-athlete and coach is immense. Brad builds positive relationships through communication, genuine care and a team-first mentality. He has worked for some great people and great cultures.
"His knowledge for how a team should operate, behave and interact with the community is key to his management. I have been able to witness firsthand his growth and development over the past 10 years during time at High Point, Wake Forest, Elon and App State. I am really excited for our student-athletes and future ones. I know Brad will be a good listener, supporter and will challenge them in positive ways."
Brad Franks joins his brother's staff in the Mile High City after a stint as the associate head coach at Appalachian State, where he helped lead the Mountaineers to their first winning season in six years in 2018 and the program's first win over a nationally-ranked opponent since 2009. Franks coached seven All-Sun Belt selections, the most all-conference selections for the program since 1980. He helped a program that had five wins prior to his arrival achieve 11 wins in 2019. They also ranked in the top 15 in community service hours in all Division I soccer for 2018 and 2019. Additionally, the team held the highest male GPA on campus at Appalachian State while achieving academic All-America awards in both 2018 and 2019.
"I want to thank Karlton Creech, Stu Halsall and Jamie for their work during the interview process; I am sincerely humbled and thankful for this opportunity," Brad Franks said. "My wife Jessica and I are so excited for our future here in Denver."
Prior to his time at Appalachian State, Franks was an assistant coach for Elon, which went 37-23-15 during his time there, including 14 wins and a share of the CAA regular season title in 2015. The Phoenix were ranked as high as No. 8 in the country while finishing at No. 16 in the RPI, both program records, and earned the program's first NCAA Tournament win, a 3-0 victory over Winthrop.
Franks also served as an assistant at High Point for three seasons (2011-13) with a stint at Wake Forest University as a volunteer assistant in 2013.
"Over my last decade in college soccer, I have always admired, from afar, the work the student-athletes at Denver have put into their success," Brad Franks said. "It is a testament to the type of character the players have, to be in the top 10 in wins while maintaining the highest GPA in the country and being so active in the community. Being a good person, good student and good player are the values I also believe in. It became evident as I learned more about the program through the interview process I had to be a part of it."
In his college playing career at Elon, Brad Franks was a four-year starter (2007-10), appearing in 77 matches and tallying 22 points on five goals and 12 assists. He earned two all-conference awards during his career, including First Team All-Southern Conference in 2010.
"Jamie, Masaki, Zach and Jose have put the program in an amazing position," Brad Franks said. "Along with the coaches, Mike Eckert, Matt Shaw and the rest of the support staff allow the program to operate at the highest level in college athletics. I'm excited to help continue to move the program forward."
Brad Franks earned a bachelor of science degree from Elon in sport and event management in 2011 and his master of business administration degree from Elon in 2018. He also holds a National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
Former Denver assistant Masaki Hemmi took the first assistant job at INAC Kobe Leonessa, a professional women's football club in Kobe, Japan.
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