Gabe Franco, a former team captain and four-year starter for the Flames, is returning to Lee as the assistant coach under head coach Derek Potteiger this season.
Franco was a staple in the middle of the Lee defense as a player from 2012-2015 and helped guide the Flames through the transition to the NCAA. After his playing career he served as a Lee Graduate Assistant in 2016 and 2017. He was on staff for Potteiger's first season as head coach in 2017.
For the past two years Franco served as an assistant coach for the successful Lipscomb University women's program. During those two seasons the Bisons went 28-11-4.
"He has been with the women's program at Lipscomb for two years – both of which they won the ASUN Conference and went to the NCAA tournament," said Potteiger. "He was involved in all facets of the program with head coach (Kevin O'Brien) and associate head coach (Leah Fortune, former Lee women's player)."
Franco is ready to return to a place where he has made some special memories over the years, "I am beyond thrilled to do what I love at a place that has held so many fond memories for me. Lee was my home for six years and a place that I am excited to call home again. I have known Derek for a couple years and was able to work as a GA in his first year at Lee. The combination of working for an amazing coach and getting to do it at a place I love made it an easy decision to come back to Lee.”
"I am thrilled to welcome Gabe back to the men's staff here. He was a player, a graduate assistant, and now back as my top assistant. He has left his mark in both those other roles and I expect him to make his biggest impact yet in this role," said Potteiger. "The program achieved new heights this past season and I believe Gabe will bring new energy and a great coaching skill set to push us even further.”
"The program is in a great spot and I really believe the best is yet to come. The culture and vision that Derek has established already has provided dividends. I love the Christian community and the competitive culture that not only Lee provides but that the men's program is striving to achieve," said Franco
