Franklin steps down from post as Saint Michael's men's soccer head coach
COLCHESTER, Vt. - Saint Michael's College men's soccer head coach James Franklin has announced he will be leaving the College, effective in late June. Franklin's departure comes after a four-year tenure in which the Purple Knights averaged seven wins per season while playing some of the strongest defense in program history.
"It is with very mixed feelings that I am leaving Saint Michael's College to move with my family to North Carolina," said Franklin. "I have sincerely appreciated the opportunity to work for this incredible institution, working with a lot of incredible people, especially the student-athletes. I have given my heart and soul to the school, especially to the men's soccer team, and my experiences will last a lifetime. I wish the program and everyone at Saint Michael's College great success for the future. I will continue to be the biggest supporter of the Purple Knights."
Franklin's charges went 28-29-12 between the falls of 2008 and 2011, with the program's stout defense allowing one goal or less in 46 of 69 contests, including posting 24 shutouts. One of the biggest wins during Franklin's tenure was a 1-0 victory over 25th-ranked Southern Connecticut State University on Sept. 18, 2010. The Purple Knights trailed top-ranked Franklin Pierce University by just one goal into the 75th minute on Oct. 30, 2010, more than a year after playing to a scoreless draw with No. 18 Le Moyne College on Oct. 3, 2009.
"We are very sad to learn of Coach Franklin's departure," said Director of Athletics Geri Knortz. "James has done an outstanding job leading the men's soccer program for the past four years. In addition to his excellent work in developing the team members, he has fully engaged alumni, successfully networked program graduates for career opportunities, and contributed to department initiatives such as the Purple Knight Leadership Academy."
In four seasons at Saint Michael's, Franklin coached student-athletes from 15 different states, hailing from outer reaches such as Alaska, Arizona and Florida, in addition to players from three foreign countries. Purple Knights were lauded 10 times with regional and Northeast-10 Conference postseason honors due to athletic accomplishments, and nine more times with academic accolades. As a team, Saint Michael's earned a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) College Team Academic Award during the 2008-09 school year.
