Franklin Named University of Louisville Director of Track & Field and Cross Country
June 16, 2023 | Cross Country, Track & Field
Joe Franklin Led the University of New Mexico to a pair of NCAA Titles and 27 Conference Championships During His 16 Years in Albuquerque
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Joe Franklin, three-time national cross country coach of the year and architect of two national champion cross country teams, has been named the University of Louisville's Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, UofL Vice President/Director of Athletics Josh Heird announced on Friday.
"Words cannot fully express how thrilled we are to welcome Joe Franklin, his wife, Mindy, and his son, Elijah, to the University of Louisville," Heird said. "Joe has an outstanding national reputation as a world-class coach, program builder, and man of character. His accomplishments include two NCAA national titles in cross country, along with numerous conference championships and Coach of the Year honors. He is a coach who wants all of his student-athletes to become their most successful selves, in sport and in life, and he is exactly who we need to take our track & field programs to unprecedented heights."
Franklin comes to Louisville after 16 years (2007-23) as the head track and field/cross country coach at the University of New Mexico where he helped bring the program to national prominence. During his time there, he directed the Lobos to two NCAA National titles in women's cross country in 2015 and 2017 and a pair of national runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2022.
"I'm excited and looking forward to joining the Louisville family and an athletic department with a very rich tradition and history of success at the highest level," said Franklin. "Our goals will be simple from the day that we start this process: give our student-athletes incredible opportunities in the classroom, on the track and on the global stage. I want to thank Josh Heird and his staff for believing in me and my family. My family and I are excited to be a part of the Cardinal Family!"
In total, his New Mexico teams registered seven top-four NCAA finishes in the last nine years and produced 10 individual national champions including two in cross country and eight in track and field. The Lobo women placed second in the 2019 United States Track & Field Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Program of the Year standings following a fifth place showing in 2018.
Franklin earned USTFCCCA National Women's Coach of the Year honors in 2015 and 2017 after guiding the Lobos to national championships – both staged at Louisville's E.P. Tom Sawyer Park. The 2017 championship was highlighted by Ednah Kurgat taking home the women's cross country individual crown in 2017.
Most recently, the 2022 USTFCCCA Mountain Region Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year piloted the Lobos to the 2022 Mountain West and the NCAA Mountain Regional titles. New Mexico went on to notch a runner-up showing in the 2022 NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship after being ranked second nationally throughout the season, finishing the Championship with five All-Americans.
Throughout his time in Albuquerque, the Lobos amassed 13 straight top-10 finishes in the NCAA women's cross country championship, placing among the top four in five of the last six years. Overall, New Mexico has notched 31 top-25 team finishes across the cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field programs. Along with the team accomplishments, UNM produced 72 USTFCCCA All-Americans who combined for a total of 173 All-America honors – 132 of which came in track and field and 41 in cross country.
With Franklin at the helm, New Mexico captured 27 Mountain West team championships - the most of any team in the league. The women's cross country program led the way with 15 consecutive titles from 2008-22 and the men's cross country team won six straight of their own from 2009-14. The women's track and field program notched a pair of indoor championships while the men's indoor team swept the indoor and outdoor crowns in 2014, and also claimed indoor titles in 2013 and 2015.
In addition to the Mountain West team championships, the Lobos also earned a total of 187 individual conference titles including nine in women's cross country, three in men's cross country, 36 in women's indoor, 50 in men's indoor, 32 in women's outdoor and 57 in men's outdoor.
Franklin's student-athletes also found success internationally, with several becoming Olympians following their time at UNM. At the Tokyo Games in 2021, Courtney Frerichs and Adva Cohen competed in the Women's 3000m steeplechase, with Frerichs earning the silver medal, while Josh Kerr also found his way onto the podium, collecting the bronze in the Men's 1500m.
Prior to his stint at New Mexico, Franklin spent 13 years (1994-2007) as the head cross country and track and field coach at Butler University, guiding the Bulldogs into national contention. During his tenure, the Bulldogs sent eight teams (six men's, two women's) to the NCAA Cross Country Championships with seven squads earning top-25 finishes between 1998-2006.
In 2004, he oversaw the Butler men to a program-best fourth place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championship and was tabbed the USTFCCCA National Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year following the season.
The Bulldogs sent a team to the NCAA Championships in five of the last six years that Franklin was at the helm and dominated the Horizon League in cross country with the men winning nine straight conference titles and the women capturing five consecutive league championships. In the Franklin era, Butler athletes earned track and field or cross country All-America honors nine times with Victoria Mitchell winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase national title in 2005.
In addition to his national coach of the year accolades, Franklin has collected numerous awards throughout his storied career including 11 USTFCCCA Mountain Region Coach of the Year honors to go along with 25 Mountain West Coach of the Year honors at New Mexico. He was also tabbed the Horizon League Coach of the Year 19 times while at Butler.
Student-athletes under Franklin's direction have also excelled in the classroom with his 2015 and 2017 squads garnering NCAA Division I Scholar Team of the Year honors. The Lobos earned 14 Mountain West Scholar-Athlete of the Year recognitions throughout his time there. Two New Mexico student-athletes, Ednah Kurgat and Weini Kelati, earned the Honda Sport Award for Women's Cross Country. During his tenure at Butler, Fraser Thompson earned Rhodes Scholar distinction.
Before his time at Butler, Franklin served as an assistant men's cross country and track and field coach at Purdue from 1992-94. He began his coaching career as the head coach at DePauw University from 1991-92 and was named the conference coach of the year.
A native of Greencastle, Ind., Franklin was a four-year letterwinner in track at Purdue University and a two-time all-Big 10 Conference honoree in the 800 finishing second in 1989, and third in 1991. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Professional Writing in 1991 and his Master's degree in Education Administration in 1994, both from Purdue. Franklin and his wife, Melinda, have a son, Elijah.
Joe Franklin File
Hometown: Greencastle, Ind.
Alma Mater: Purdue '91
Collegiate Athletic Experience: Purdue (middle-distance: 1986-91)
University of New Mexico (2007-2023)
Head Men's and Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Coach
• Two-time USTFCCCA National Women's Coach of the Year (2015, 2017)
• Five-time USTFCCCA Mountain Region Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year (2010, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2022)
• 2010 USTFCCCA Mountain Region Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year
• Three-time USTFCCCA Mountain Region Women's Indoor Coach of the Year (2013, 2014, 2015)
• USTFCCCA Mountain Region Men's Indoor Coach of the Year (2014)
• USTFCCCA Mountain Region Men's Outdoor Coach of the Year (2010)
• 14-time Mountain West Cross Country Women's Coach of the Year (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
• Five-time Mountain West Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
• Two-time Mountain West Women's Indoor Coach of the Year (2014, 2015)
• Three-time Mountain West Men's Indoor Coach of the Year (2013, 2014, 2015)
Butler University (1994-2007)
Head Men's and Women's Cross Country/Track & Field Coach
• USTFCCCA National Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year (2004)
• USTFCCCA Great Lakes Region Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year (1998)
• 19-time Horizon League Coach of the Year
Purdue University (1992-94)
Asst. Men's Cross Country/Track & Field Coach
1991-92: DePauw University
Head Cross Country Coach
Conference Coach of the Year
What They are Saying About Joe Franklin
"Since arriving at UNM, Joe Franklin built a National Championship program that helped elevate the visibility of all programs at UNM over his time here. He has been one of the most influential figures within Lobo athletics and someone that I personally looked towards at times for guidance.
His impact went beyond Lobo Athletics, athletic and academic successes, it transcended into the university, our community, our state and nationally. His commitment to raising the standards of the Lobo cross country and track & field program to an elite level will allow our program to continue to compete for national championships.
I want to personally thank Joe for everything and wish he and Mindy all the best at the University of Louisville. The Cardinals are getting a national championship-coach and person. I have no doubt he will elevate the Cardinal program similar to how he raised the stature of our programs here at New Mexico."
Eddie Nuñez, Vice President/Director of Athletics, New Mexico
"Joe is an elite coach and an outstanding recruiter and that has made him very successful at Butler and New Mexico. He is clearly highly-respected by his student-athletes and his peers and will be a great addition to the ACC."
Laurie Henes, Head Women's Track & Cross Country Coach, NC State
"Joe is a great coach. He has had success at every institution that he has coached at and I'm sure he will do the same at the University of Louisville."
Edrick Floréal, Head Track and Field Coach, University of Texas
"Joe Franklin is a brilliant hire for Louisville- his intelligence, drive, and commitment to developing student-athletes as dynamic competitors as well as wonderful people simply sets him apart. Joe's coaching record is extraordinary- he's shown incredible consistency at the top of the NCAA, and he's a proven leader and administrator. He will be an immediate force in the ACC and beyond."
Maurica Powell, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, Washington
"Joe Franklin is a dedicated hard-working coach. He not only coaches but contributes to sport as a leader within the distance coaches community. I have a lot of respect for the job he did at my alma mater, New Mexico."
Pat Henry, Head Track and Field Coach, Texas A&M
"Joe Franklin is a future Hall of Fame coach who has spent his entire career building championship-level programs. He is a fierce competitor and a master tactician but most importantly, he is a teacher and a mentor who impacts the lives of all those around him."
Dave Smith, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, Oklahoma State
"Joe helped create a positive team environment that made running fun and enjoyable. He focuses on helping you learn your strengths and your teammates' strengths so that you can work together. He showed us what it was like to compete with and train with high caliber athletes and become successful both individually and as a team. I'll never forget before every race, him telling us to find our friends - reminding us what racing is all about, showing off your hard work and having fun with your teammates. He empowered me to take charge of reaching my dreams of training and racing at the highest level. I have achieved so much more than I ever imagined thanks to Joe."
Courtney Frerichs, New Mexico student-athlete from 2011-16
2016 Women's Steeplechase National Champion
Women's Steeplechase Silver Medalist – Tokyo Olympics
"Most coaches have an eye for talent, but coach has an incredible eye for potential. He doesn't invest in the athlete, but rather he invests in the person, because he knows that at the end of the day it's not athleticism that wakes you up at 5 a.m. to train or attend class, it's the person. Personhood and character are what build champions - he knows how to develop character."
Kendall Spencer, New Mexico student-athlete from 2010-14
2012 Indoor Men's Long Jump National Champion
"Words cannot fully express how thrilled we are to welcome Joe Franklin, his wife, Mindy, and his son, Elijah, to the University of Louisville," Heird said. "Joe has an outstanding national reputation as a world-class coach, program builder, and man of character. His accomplishments include two NCAA national titles in cross country, along with numerous conference championships and Coach of the Year honors. He is a coach who wants all of his student-athletes to become their most successful selves, in sport and in life, and he is exactly who we need to take our track & field programs to unprecedented heights."
Franklin comes to Louisville after 16 years (2007-23) as the head track and field/cross country coach at the University of New Mexico where he helped bring the program to national prominence. During his time there, he directed the Lobos to two NCAA National titles in women's cross country in 2015 and 2017 and a pair of national runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2022.
"I'm excited and looking forward to joining the Louisville family and an athletic department with a very rich tradition and history of success at the highest level," said Franklin. "Our goals will be simple from the day that we start this process: give our student-athletes incredible opportunities in the classroom, on the track and on the global stage. I want to thank Josh Heird and his staff for believing in me and my family. My family and I are excited to be a part of the Cardinal Family!"
In total, his New Mexico teams registered seven top-four NCAA finishes in the last nine years and produced 10 individual national champions including two in cross country and eight in track and field. The Lobo women placed second in the 2019 United States Track & Field Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Program of the Year standings following a fifth place showing in 2018.
Franklin earned USTFCCCA National Women's Coach of the Year honors in 2015 and 2017 after guiding the Lobos to national championships – both staged at Louisville's E.P. Tom Sawyer Park. The 2017 championship was highlighted by Ednah Kurgat taking home the women's cross country individual crown in 2017.
Most recently, the 2022 USTFCCCA Mountain Region Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year piloted the Lobos to the 2022 Mountain West and the NCAA Mountain Regional titles. New Mexico went on to notch a runner-up showing in the 2022 NCAA Women's Cross Country Championship after being ranked second nationally throughout the season, finishing the Championship with five All-Americans.
Throughout his time in Albuquerque, the Lobos amassed 13 straight top-10 finishes in the NCAA women's cross country championship, placing among the top four in five of the last six years. Overall, New Mexico has notched 31 top-25 team finishes across the cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field programs. Along with the team accomplishments, UNM produced 72 USTFCCCA All-Americans who combined for a total of 173 All-America honors – 132 of which came in track and field and 41 in cross country.
With Franklin at the helm, New Mexico captured 27 Mountain West team championships - the most of any team in the league. The women's cross country program led the way with 15 consecutive titles from 2008-22 and the men's cross country team won six straight of their own from 2009-14. The women's track and field program notched a pair of indoor championships while the men's indoor team swept the indoor and outdoor crowns in 2014, and also claimed indoor titles in 2013 and 2015.
In addition to the Mountain West team championships, the Lobos also earned a total of 187 individual conference titles including nine in women's cross country, three in men's cross country, 36 in women's indoor, 50 in men's indoor, 32 in women's outdoor and 57 in men's outdoor.
Franklin's student-athletes also found success internationally, with several becoming Olympians following their time at UNM. At the Tokyo Games in 2021, Courtney Frerichs and Adva Cohen competed in the Women's 3000m steeplechase, with Frerichs earning the silver medal, while Josh Kerr also found his way onto the podium, collecting the bronze in the Men's 1500m.
Prior to his stint at New Mexico, Franklin spent 13 years (1994-2007) as the head cross country and track and field coach at Butler University, guiding the Bulldogs into national contention. During his tenure, the Bulldogs sent eight teams (six men's, two women's) to the NCAA Cross Country Championships with seven squads earning top-25 finishes between 1998-2006.
In 2004, he oversaw the Butler men to a program-best fourth place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championship and was tabbed the USTFCCCA National Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year following the season.
The Bulldogs sent a team to the NCAA Championships in five of the last six years that Franklin was at the helm and dominated the Horizon League in cross country with the men winning nine straight conference titles and the women capturing five consecutive league championships. In the Franklin era, Butler athletes earned track and field or cross country All-America honors nine times with Victoria Mitchell winning the 3,000-meter steeplechase national title in 2005.
In addition to his national coach of the year accolades, Franklin has collected numerous awards throughout his storied career including 11 USTFCCCA Mountain Region Coach of the Year honors to go along with 25 Mountain West Coach of the Year honors at New Mexico. He was also tabbed the Horizon League Coach of the Year 19 times while at Butler.
Student-athletes under Franklin's direction have also excelled in the classroom with his 2015 and 2017 squads garnering NCAA Division I Scholar Team of the Year honors. The Lobos earned 14 Mountain West Scholar-Athlete of the Year recognitions throughout his time there. Two New Mexico student-athletes, Ednah Kurgat and Weini Kelati, earned the Honda Sport Award for Women's Cross Country. During his tenure at Butler, Fraser Thompson earned Rhodes Scholar distinction.
Before his time at Butler, Franklin served as an assistant men's cross country and track and field coach at Purdue from 1992-94. He began his coaching career as the head coach at DePauw University from 1991-92 and was named the conference coach of the year.
A native of Greencastle, Ind., Franklin was a four-year letterwinner in track at Purdue University and a two-time all-Big 10 Conference honoree in the 800 finishing second in 1989, and third in 1991. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Professional Writing in 1991 and his Master's degree in Education Administration in 1994, both from Purdue. Franklin and his wife, Melinda, have a son, Elijah.
Joe Franklin File
Hometown: Greencastle, Ind.
Alma Mater: Purdue '91
Collegiate Athletic Experience: Purdue (middle-distance: 1986-91)
University of New Mexico (2007-2023)
Head Men's and Women's Track & Field/Cross Country Coach
• Two-time USTFCCCA National Women's Coach of the Year (2015, 2017)
• Five-time USTFCCCA Mountain Region Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year (2010, 2011, 2015, 2018, 2022)
• 2010 USTFCCCA Mountain Region Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year
• Three-time USTFCCCA Mountain Region Women's Indoor Coach of the Year (2013, 2014, 2015)
• USTFCCCA Mountain Region Men's Indoor Coach of the Year (2014)
• USTFCCCA Mountain Region Men's Outdoor Coach of the Year (2010)
• 14-time Mountain West Cross Country Women's Coach of the Year (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
• Five-time Mountain West Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014)
• Two-time Mountain West Women's Indoor Coach of the Year (2014, 2015)
• Three-time Mountain West Men's Indoor Coach of the Year (2013, 2014, 2015)
Butler University (1994-2007)
Head Men's and Women's Cross Country/Track & Field Coach
• USTFCCCA National Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year (2004)
• USTFCCCA Great Lakes Region Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year (1998)
• 19-time Horizon League Coach of the Year
Purdue University (1992-94)
Asst. Men's Cross Country/Track & Field Coach
1991-92: DePauw University
Head Cross Country Coach
Conference Coach of the Year
What They are Saying About Joe Franklin
"Since arriving at UNM, Joe Franklin built a National Championship program that helped elevate the visibility of all programs at UNM over his time here. He has been one of the most influential figures within Lobo athletics and someone that I personally looked towards at times for guidance.
His impact went beyond Lobo Athletics, athletic and academic successes, it transcended into the university, our community, our state and nationally. His commitment to raising the standards of the Lobo cross country and track & field program to an elite level will allow our program to continue to compete for national championships.
I want to personally thank Joe for everything and wish he and Mindy all the best at the University of Louisville. The Cardinals are getting a national championship-coach and person. I have no doubt he will elevate the Cardinal program similar to how he raised the stature of our programs here at New Mexico."
Eddie Nuñez, Vice President/Director of Athletics, New Mexico
"Joe is an elite coach and an outstanding recruiter and that has made him very successful at Butler and New Mexico. He is clearly highly-respected by his student-athletes and his peers and will be a great addition to the ACC."
Laurie Henes, Head Women's Track & Cross Country Coach, NC State
"Joe is a great coach. He has had success at every institution that he has coached at and I'm sure he will do the same at the University of Louisville."
Edrick Floréal, Head Track and Field Coach, University of Texas
"Joe Franklin is a brilliant hire for Louisville- his intelligence, drive, and commitment to developing student-athletes as dynamic competitors as well as wonderful people simply sets him apart. Joe's coaching record is extraordinary- he's shown incredible consistency at the top of the NCAA, and he's a proven leader and administrator. He will be an immediate force in the ACC and beyond."
Maurica Powell, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, Washington
"Joe Franklin is a dedicated hard-working coach. He not only coaches but contributes to sport as a leader within the distance coaches community. I have a lot of respect for the job he did at my alma mater, New Mexico."
Pat Henry, Head Track and Field Coach, Texas A&M
"Joe Franklin is a future Hall of Fame coach who has spent his entire career building championship-level programs. He is a fierce competitor and a master tactician but most importantly, he is a teacher and a mentor who impacts the lives of all those around him."
Dave Smith, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country, Oklahoma State
"Joe helped create a positive team environment that made running fun and enjoyable. He focuses on helping you learn your strengths and your teammates' strengths so that you can work together. He showed us what it was like to compete with and train with high caliber athletes and become successful both individually and as a team. I'll never forget before every race, him telling us to find our friends - reminding us what racing is all about, showing off your hard work and having fun with your teammates. He empowered me to take charge of reaching my dreams of training and racing at the highest level. I have achieved so much more than I ever imagined thanks to Joe."
Courtney Frerichs, New Mexico student-athlete from 2011-16
2016 Women's Steeplechase National Champion
Women's Steeplechase Silver Medalist – Tokyo Olympics
"Most coaches have an eye for talent, but coach has an incredible eye for potential. He doesn't invest in the athlete, but rather he invests in the person, because he knows that at the end of the day it's not athleticism that wakes you up at 5 a.m. to train or attend class, it's the person. Personhood and character are what build champions - he knows how to develop character."
Kendall Spencer, New Mexico student-athlete from 2010-14
2012 Indoor Men's Long Jump National Champion
