1/8/2010 11:09:41 AM
CLEVELAND - Delta State University head football coach Ron Roberts announced the addition of E.K. Franks to the Statesmen staff on Friday. Franks, a former University of Wisconsin and Kansas State University assistant, will coach the defensive line and coordinate strength and conditioning.
"I'm excited about adding E.K. Franks to the Statesmen football family," stated Roberts. "Coach Franks and I spent time together on the Texas State staff and I know the level of dedication he brings to the table for his players, fellow coaches and the university. I tried to hire him twice before, but this time it worked out. He will be a great addition to our staff."
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 University 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 University 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, formerly Southwest 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 (New England Patriots), Terrance Newman (Dallas Cowboys), Darren Sproles (San Diego Chargers), Sheldon Williams (Atlanta Hawks), Nicole Ohlde (Minnesota Lynx), Laurie Koehn (Washington Mystics), Brian Aylor (New York Yankees) and Mitch Simons (Montreal Expos).
