Men's Soccer

James Franklin








Second Season

James Franklin, a former head coach at Vassar College and Norwich University, and assistant coach at the University of Vermont, completed his second season as the head coach of the Saint Michael's men's soccer program in 2009. In two seasons at the helm of the Purple Knights, Franklin has compiled a 16-13-6 record (.543 win percentage), becoming one of just two coaches in program history to have a winning overall record. His overall record in six years as a collegiate head coach is 54-48-8 (.527 win percentage).

In 2009, Franklin led the Purple Knights to a 9-5-3 record, including a 5-2-1 mark in away contests. He led the Purple Knights to just the 11th winning season in the program's 50-year history, and just the third winning season in the last 20 years.

Franklin led the team to a 7-8-3 record in his first season in 2008, including a 5-3-2 mark at home, and was named Saint Michael's Co-Coach of the Year at the College's Block "M" Awards Dinner on April 30, 2009.

In announcing Franklin's hiring on April 28, 2008, Director of Athletics Geri Knortz said, "We are extremely fortunate to have someone of James' experience and accomplishments join the Saint Michael's athletics department and lead our men's soccer program. He is a talented coach and a great fit for Saint Michael's College."

"I would like to thank Geri Knortz and the search committee for giving me the opportunity to lead the men's soccer program at Saint Michael's College," said Franklin. "It is a privilege to take over the program from Coach Wade Jean, who has transformed the program into a regionally competitive team. I will work hard to continue to build on the team's recent success, and I cannot wait to get started."

Franklin, a native of Staffordshire, England, has 12 years of collegiate coaching experience. Most recently, Franklin served as an assistant coach for the UVM women's soccer program in the 2006 and 2007 seasons, helping the NCAA Division I Catamounts qualify for the America East Conference playoffs in 2006.

Prior to joining UVM, Franklin was men's soccer head coach at Norwich University from 2003-06. He rebuilt the NCAA Division III program in just three seasons, taking the Cadets from a 6-13-0 record in his first season to a 13-6-1 record in his final season at Norwich. Franklin also served as the men's tennis head coach at Norwich, and directed the university's NCAA Life Skills program.

Before arriving at Norwich, Franklin served as head coach of men's soccer and assistant athletic director for facilities at Division III Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Franklin spent two years as an assistant coach at Vassar prior to being promoted to head coach, and in 2002 was named the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (now the Liberty League) Coach of the Year after guiding the Brewers to an 11-7-0 overall record.

Franklin played collegiate soccer at nearby Champlain College, where he earned his bachelor's degree. Following his collegiate career, he stayed at Champlain to serve as an assistant coach with both the men's and women's soccer programs. Franklin has also played professionally with Crewe Alexandra in his native England, as well as with the Vermont Voltage.

Franklin's Year-by-Year Results

Year	School	Wins	Losses	Ties	Notes
2002	Vassar	11	7	0	UCAA Coach of the Year
	Total (1 Year)	11	7	0
2003	Norwich	6	13	0
2004	Norwich	8	9	1
2005	Norwich	13	6	1
	Totals (3 Years)	27	28	2
2008	Saint Michael's	7	8	3	SMC Co-Coach of the Year
2009	Saint Michael's	9	5	3
	Total (2 Years)	16	13	6
	Career Totals (6 Years)	54	48	8