Mark Francis
Encyclopedia
Mark Francis was an English-American soccer midfielder
who played in the American Soccer League
, American Indoor Soccer Association, SISL and USISL. He has also coached at the high school, college and professional levels. He is currently the women's head coach of the University of Kansas
.
, playing on the men’s soccer team from 1983 to 1987. During his four seasons, he was a three time All American, second team in 1984, third team in 1985 and first team
in 1986. He graduated from SMU in 1987 with a bachelors degree in physical education.
of the American Soccer League
, remaining with them through the 1989 season. In the fall of 1989, he joined the Dayton Dynamo
of the American Indoor Soccer Association. The Dayton Dynamo lost to the Canton Invaders
in the championship series. In 1990, he then moved to the Richardson Rockets for the SISL summer indoor soccer season. He continued to play for the Rockets until 1992. In 1991, the SISL was renamed the USISL and the Rockets became the North Texas Mid-Cities Flyers. During this time, the Rockets/Flyers alternated between summer indoor and winter outdoor seasons. The Rockets won the 1991 SISL outdoor season. In 1993, Francis moved to the DFW Toros before returning to the Flyers, now known as the Dallas Rockets
in 1993. In 1995, Francis moved again, this time to the Mesquite Kickers
for the USISL Indoor season before finishing his playing career with the Mobile Revellers
.
. In 1991, he was hired as the girls’ soccer coach at Highland Park High School
. Over six seasons, he won two Texas State high school championships. In 1995 while still at Highland Park, he began a woman’s team at Brookhaven College
. In 1996, Francis moved to the University of South Alabama
to become the women’s soccer coach. In his three seasons, he took the Jaguars to a 33-25-1 record. His worst season was his first as the team finished 2-17. By 1998, he had built the Jaguars into a 13-5 team, being named the Big South Conference Coach of the Year. In 1997, Francis also served as the head coach of the Mobile Revellers
while also playing for the team. In 1999, the University of Kansas
hired Francis as its women’s soccer coach, a position he holds today. Francis has led Kansas to three NCAA Tournaments, and won the Big 12 in 2004.
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who played in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
, American Indoor Soccer Association, SISL and USISL. He has also coached at the high school, college and professional levels. He is currently the women's head coach of the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
.
Youth
Francis attended Southern Methodist UniversitySouthern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
, playing on the men’s soccer team from 1983 to 1987. During his four seasons, he was a three time All American, second team in 1984, third team in 1985 and first team
Division I First-Team All-American (soccer)
The Division I First-Team All-Americans are the best eleven U.S. college soccer players as selected by the NCAA.-1970–1983:From 1970 to 1983 the NCAA only named defenders and forwards in addition to one goalkeeper.-1983–present:...
in 1986. He graduated from SMU in 1987 with a bachelors degree in physical education.
Professional
In 1988, Francis signed with the Orlando LionsOrlando Lions
The Orlando Lions was an American soccer team from Orlando, Florida which existed from 1985 to 1996. Over the years, the Lions competed at both the amateur and professional levels including some seasons as an independent team....
of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
, remaining with them through the 1989 season. In the fall of 1989, he joined the Dayton Dynamo
Dayton Dynamo
The Dayton Dynamo was a professional indoor soccer team from Dayton, Ohio. The team played in the American Indoor Soccer Association ....
of the American Indoor Soccer Association. The Dayton Dynamo lost to the Canton Invaders
Canton Invaders
The Canton Invaders was an indoor soccer club based in Canton, Ohio that competed in the National Professional Soccer League.After the 1995/96 season, the team became the Columbus Invaders.- Canton Invaders :...
in the championship series. In 1990, he then moved to the Richardson Rockets for the SISL summer indoor soccer season. He continued to play for the Rockets until 1992. In 1991, the SISL was renamed the USISL and the Rockets became the North Texas Mid-Cities Flyers. During this time, the Rockets/Flyers alternated between summer indoor and winter outdoor seasons. The Rockets won the 1991 SISL outdoor season. In 1993, Francis moved to the DFW Toros before returning to the Flyers, now known as the Dallas Rockets
Dallas Rockets
The Richardson Rockets were a soccer club based in Richardson, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. The club originally started in the indoor SISL league. They became the North Texas Mid-Cities Flyers for the 1991/92 USISL indoor league and were renamed the Dallas Rockets beginning with the 1992...
in 1993. In 1995, Francis moved again, this time to the Mesquite Kickers
Mesquite Kickers
The Mesquite Kickers were a soccer club based in Mesquite, Texas that competed in the USISL.- Year-by-year :...
for the USISL Indoor season before finishing his playing career with the Mobile Revellers
Mobile Revelers (soccer)
Mobile Revelers were an American soccer team that played in Mobile, Alabama.-Year-by-year:...
.
Coach
Francis began his coaching career will playing for the Dallas RocketsDallas Rockets
The Richardson Rockets were a soccer club based in Richardson, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, Texas. The club originally started in the indoor SISL league. They became the North Texas Mid-Cities Flyers for the 1991/92 USISL indoor league and were renamed the Dallas Rockets beginning with the 1992...
. In 1991, he was hired as the girls’ soccer coach at Highland Park High School
Highland Park High School (University Park, Texas)
Highland Park High School is located in University Park, Texas.Highland Park is a part of the Highland Park Independent School District. It serves all of the city of University Park, most of the town of Highland Park, and portions of Dallas.-History:...
. Over six seasons, he won two Texas State high school championships. In 1995 while still at Highland Park, he began a woman’s team at Brookhaven College
Brookhaven College
Brookhaven College, located in Farmers Branch, Texas , is one of seven colleges of the Dallas County Community College District . Brookhaven opened in 1978 and is the newest DCCCD college....
. In 1996, Francis moved to the University of South Alabama
University of South Alabama
The University of South Alabama is a public, doctoral-level university in Mobile, Alabama, USA. It was created by the Alabama Legislature in 1963, and replaced existing extension programs operated in Mobile by the University of Alabama. No other areas of the state were willing to support such a...
to become the women’s soccer coach. In his three seasons, he took the Jaguars to a 33-25-1 record. His worst season was his first as the team finished 2-17. By 1998, he had built the Jaguars into a 13-5 team, being named the Big South Conference Coach of the Year. In 1997, Francis also served as the head coach of the Mobile Revellers
Mobile Revelers (soccer)
Mobile Revelers were an American soccer team that played in Mobile, Alabama.-Year-by-year:...
while also playing for the team. In 1999, the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
hired Francis as its women’s soccer coach, a position he holds today. Francis has led Kansas to three NCAA Tournaments, and won the Big 12 in 2004.