Chadron State College announced Wednesday morning that they have hired Chris Francis as their new head men’s basketball coach. Francis comes to Chadron after having been at College of Science and Arts in Chickasaw, Oklahoma since 2015.
During his time at Science and Arts he compiled a record of 176-94, leading the Drovers to five NAIA National Tournament appearances including a trip to the final site in 2020.
He was able to develop 25 all-conference players, nine NAIA All-Americans and recently graduated Samkelo Cole will be with the New York Knicks during summer league play.
Prior to his time at Science and Arts he was an assistant at LSU-Shreveport when the team made the national tournament semi finals in 2013. Before then as a player at Rogers State University, he helped them to the final eight in 2011 as part of a team that finished 30-2. A defensive specialist, he was named Sooner Athletic Conference player of the year and was recently inducted into the Rogers State Athletic Hall of Fame.
He replaces Shane Paben who departed the program in March.