Ricardo Franklin enters his first season as head coach of the men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field teams at Thiel College. He assumes the reigns of the program after serving one season as an assistant under former head coach Clyde Morgan.
A 2002 Thiel alumnus, Franklin graduated with a degree in art as well as an elementary education certification. He was a four-year member of the Tomcat football program where he was a four-time all-PAC selection (3 first-team, 1 second-team) as a defensive back, two-time team MVP and two-time all-American.
Franklin was a two-time PAC champion in the 110-meter high hurdles (1999, 2000) and was named the PAC's Most Outstanding Performer in 1999 when he won the 110-meter hurdles, the long jump and the triple jump. He was a four-time NCAA Division III national qualifier for the Indoor Championships in the 55-meter high hurdles.
Prior to joining the staff at Thiel, Franklin served as an assistant track and field coach at Case Western Reserve University under head coach Dennis Harris for five years, working primarily with the jumpers and hurdlers.
Franklin is pursuing a master's degree from Youngstown State University in Student Life Leadership. He also holds a U.S.A. Track and Field (USATF) Level 1 Coaching Certification.
Franklin has one son, Rico Franklin, and resides in Greenville.
