Legendary track and field coach Stephen ‘Franno’ Francis has died. Francis passed away in hospital late last night, a day after his 64th birthday.
Last week, following much speculation, MVP Track and Field Club, where he was co-founder and technical director, confirmed that he was being treated by a medical team.
Considered one of the world’s best track and field coaches, Francis has shaped the careers of multiple global champions including Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shericka Jackson, Tajay Gayle, Michael Frater and Nesta Carter as well as back-to-back world record holder Asafa Powell.
The impressive list of champions who came under his tutelage also includes Melaine Walker, Sherone Simpson, Kaliese Spencer, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Germaine Mason, Stephanie McPherson, Christine Day and Janieve Russell.
In recent times he has unearthed a new generation of sprint stars including Tina and Tia Clayton and Kishane Thompson.
He is widely recognised for revolutionising sprinting by proving that world-class athletes can be discovered, trained, and managed entirely within Jamaica, diverting from the previous model where top Jamaican juniors mostly went into the United States collegiate system after leaving high school.
Known for his data-driven methods, technical sharpness, and ability to mold “ordinary” talent into Olympic champions, Francis helped secure dozens of Olympic and World Championship medals for Jamaica.
Born on July 3, 1962, Francis excelled in mathematics and analytical sciences from an early age and earned a bachelor of science degree in management studies from The University of the West Indies and an MBA in finance from the University of Michigan Business School, graduating in the top three per cent of his class.
He worked as a business accountant and was scouted by Wall Street firms before pivoting full-time to athletics, culminating with the genesis of MVP, which he co-founded with his brother Paul, Bruce James and David Noel.
Jamaica’s success as a track and field giant has in large measure been through the work of MVP and Francis, considered a coaching genius worldwide.
He was awarded the Order of Jamaica in 2017 by the Jamaican Government for his invaluable contribution to global sports and nation-building.
-Karen Madden
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