July 12, 2010

Messer adds Stacey Franklin to women’s basketball coaching staff

A standout player at the University of Alabama and an assistant coach at Mississippi State and her alma mater, Stacey Franklin is the newest member of the Tennessee Tech University women’s basketball coaching staff, joining second-year head coach Sytia Messer as an assistant coach.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A standout player at the University of Alabama and an assistant coach at Mississippi State and her alma mater, Stacey Franklin is the newest member of the Tennessee Tech University women’s basketball coaching staff, joining second-year head coach Sytia Messer as an assistant coach.

“I am very excited about Coach Franklin joining our staff,” Messer said. “She has over 14 years of coaching experience at the highest level, and we feel very fortunate to have daily access to her knowledge and experience.”

Franklin spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach with the Bulldogs at Mississippi State, before returning to Alabama for the past two years. She begins her new post with the Golden Eagles on July 9.

“I am honored for the opportunity that Coach Messer has given me to work on her staff and be a part of her winning tradition,” Franklin said. “I competed against TTU as a player and a coach, and I could not be more thrilled to be a part of the team. The success that the players have had on the court and it the classroom is outstanding, and I am looking forward to helping to continue that success this year.”

While at MSU, Franklin helped lead Mississippi State to eight postseason appearances, including four NCAA Tournament berths. During that time, the Lady Bulldogs posted seven winning seasons.

While on the bench at MSU, the Lady Bulldogs recorded 25 wins over ranked opponents, 18 of which were when MSU was not in the rankings. Franklin helped lead MSU to the program's only SEC championship game in 2000 against Tennessee. While on the recruiting trail Franklin helped bring some of the top talent in the nation to Starkville. While at MSU, Franklin helped coach two Kodak All-Americans, eight first-team All-SEC players, five SEC All-Freshmen Team players, and 54 Academic All-SEC selections. Franklin helped coach the 2003 WNBA first overall selection in LaToya Thomas and the second overall pick in 2005 in Tan White. A total of eight players have gone on to play professional basketball under Franklin.

Franklin's primary areas of responsibility included player development, practice and game preparation and scouting. As a part of player development, Franklin coordinated student-athlete seminars on life skills in many areas, including financial planning, nutrition, professional etiquette, team building and media training.

A four-year letterwinner at the University of Alabama from 1989-1993, Franklin co-captained the Crimson Tide to a 23-7 record and second round appearance in the NCAA Tournament as a senior. She was named to the all-SEC Freshman second-team in 1989 and garnered three all-SEC Academic Honor Roll nominations.

While a player at UA, Franklin was involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, appeared on the Dean's List on five occasions and was a nominee for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Scholar Athlete Award.

Prior to beginning her tenure at Mississippi Sttae, Franklin served as junior varsity softball coach and assistant for the varsity softball and basketball teams at Tuscaloosa Academy.

A native of Smyrna, Ga., Franklin attended Campbell High School, where she was a two-time Cobb County Player of the Year. She still ranks as the top scorer and rebounder in CHS history. Franklin is a member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.