Franco, who served as an assistant for the past three seasons, will replace Jeannie Thompson.
EVERETT — After serving as an assistant for the past three seasons, Jay Franco has been named the next women's basketball head coach at Everett Community College, the school announced Monday.
Franco replaces former program leader Jeannie Thompson, who resigned from her position in early March. Franco is the ninth head coach in the program's 45-year history. This will be Franco's first head coaching position.
“He's someone who fits well into our culture and understands what we're trying to build as a program,” Trojans athletic director Garrett Studer said. “Our student-athletes always say great things about Jay for his positive attitude and for truly helping our athletes grow.”
Franco worked as an assistant coach at Everett High School before joining the program as an assistant girls basketball coach and as the school's strength and conditioning coach for the 2020-21 season. He also graduated from Western Washington University with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology.
Former EvCC players Sidney Van Ness, Tuivi Tran, Michail Montez and Kinsley Gallatin all played at four-year colleges while Franco was an assistant, and the program advanced to the NWAC five times in the past eight seasons. We advanced to the playoffs.
“He's proven in terms of trying hard,” Studer said. “This is one of those deals where everyone starts somewhere, and it's an opportunity to take a chance on someone who has the potential to be a really good head coach over the next few years. We're excited for him moving forward. I’m really excited.”