He was away from the high school ranks for several years, but John Franklin never left basketball coaching.
And now, Franklin is back in the high school circles as he will take over the Reed boys basketball program.
Franklin coached the McQueen boys from 2008-15. He then started an AAU program, the Reno Hype.
“My wife convinced me to do it again (high school coaching) after being out for so long,” Franklin said.
Franklin takes over the Reed program after former coach Keegan Bosier stepped down after the past season after six years at Reed. The Raiders went 17-11 overall, 10-6 in league last season, tying for fourth in the Northern 4A before losing to eventual champions Reno, 47-44, in the regional tournament semifinals. Bosier went 80-48 overall and 37-28 in league with the Raiders.
Franklin said several of the current eighth-graders on his AAU Hype team will be going to different high schools around Reno and Sparks next year.
He said Reed will not need a total rebuild, but added, “There are some pieces that have got to be filled. Obviously TJ (Coulter) and Dom Williams were really incredible players.”
While at McQueen, he went 100-100 overall in eight seasons, 56-55 in league games.
"I can’t tell you how excited I am about the opportunity to coach at Reed,” Franklin said. “The pool of coaches that applied for that job was a really good one.”
He expects to keep most of the same assistant coaches who were at Reed last season.
Reed athletic director Ryan Sims said Franklin has the skills necessary to build good relationships with the students.
“John will teach our young men how to take the next step in life and basketball. It is evident to us that John has created life long connections with former players as he keeps in touch with so many to this day,” Sims wrote to the RGJ.
Sims addded that Franklin has a plan for high standards and expectations for all student athletes.
“John is also a coach that believes in holding his players accountable for their behavior. John is well connected and supported by our community. John has a plan to create opportunities for our kids on and off the court. John has a plan to work with our feeder schools to create vertical alignment for coaches and athletes. John is clearly a community first guy," Sims wrote.
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Franklin led McQueen to its last state tournament appearance, in 2010 after the Lancers lost to Bishop Manogue in the regional championship game. McQueen lost to Canyon Springs in the state semifinals.
Franklin, 53, played basketball for the Nevada Wolf Pack in 1992-93 under coach Len Stevens. He works as the Director of Food and Beverage for Duncan Golf Management, overseeeing restaurants at four golf courses.
"I am extremely excited about this opportunity to be a part of the Reed Raider Family," Franklin said in a social media post. "Thank you to all you who continue to support and believe in my vision. Connecting and mentoring young people is what God has called me to do and I love it."
This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: John Franklin hired as Reed High School boys basketball head coach
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