Harding Football Hires Will Francis as New Quarterbacks and Fullbacks Coach

SEARCY - Harding University Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Will Francis as the new Quarterbacks and Fullbacks coach for the Bison football team. Francis will fill the vacancy left by Matt Middleton, who departed to become the head coach at Kansas Wesleyan.

Francis joins a program that has experienced unprecedented success under the leadership of Head Coach Paul Simmons, who has led the Bisons to three conference championships and six appearances in the NCAA Division II Playoffs, including a national championship victory in 2023.

"Harding football is extremely excited about the addition of Will Francis to the Bison football family," said Simmons. "Will has a tremendous football mind, he is a proven winner, and he is a leader of men through his words and through his example. Coach Francis will be a great asset in our efforts to grow this program in a way that will honor God."

Francis brings a wealth of coaching experience to Harding, having served as the Offensive Coordinator at Harding Academy since 2018. During his tenure, he led the team to an impressive 81-12 overall record, including a 38-2 conference record and a 24-3 playoff record. He also helped the team win five conference championships and four state championships.

As a coach, Francis has been responsible for game planning, scouting reports, play calling, and developing players on offense. His teams have consistently been among the top performers in the state, with the team averaging 42.1 points per game and ranking in the top five in passing yards in Arkansas for five consecutive seasons. He has also coached 25 All-State players and had three quarterbacks awarded state title game MVP honors.

Francis is a Harding University alumnus, having earned his B.S. in Kinesiology in 2013 and his M.A. in Teaching in 2018. He was also a standout player on the Harding men's basketball team, earning four letters and setting the school record for career 3-pointers made.

In addition to his football coaching experience, Francis has also served as an assistant softball coach, assistant seventh-grade basketball coach, and instructor in biology, math, and Bible classes. He has also been the chapel coordinator at Harding Academy for seven years.

Francis is married to the former Falan Miller, a member of the Harding women's basketball team from 2014-18, and they have one son, Lane.

Please join us in welcoming Will Francis to the Harding University Athletics family!

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