VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --- An extensive search to find a leader for Virginia Wesleyan College's proud baseball program has produced an individual who has already experienced the Marlins' success.

Chris Francis, a VWC assistant coach in a five-year span when the Marlins won three Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) titles and advanced to the NCAA Division III championship tournament three times, has been named the program's head coach.

Athletic Director Joanne Renn announced the hiring of Francis, who returns to Virginia Wesleyan after a three year stay as head coach of Division II's College of St. Rose in Albany, N.Y.

"Chris is a hands-on teacher, team-builder and family man who will immediately and positively impact the baseball program," said Renn. "During the interview process, Chris spoke passionately about his career in the sport as a player and his maturation as a coach.  The search committee was impressed not only by his professional successes, but also by his enthusiasm for engaging various audiences -- the surrounding community, alumni, the college as a whole and potential recruits -- and his goal of returning VWC baseball to the top of the ODAC and beyond. I look forward to having Chris as a colleague for many years to come."

Francis coached previously at VWC from 2003 through 2007, primarily as the pitching mentor.  His 2003 pitching crew compiled a 2.19 ERA, the nation's second best average, helping the Marlins to a 34-9 showing, setting the program record for victories en route to winning a league title and making an NCAA tourney appearance.  VWC enjoyed winning seasons during all five years, highlighted by back-to-back 30+ win seasons in 2003 and 2004.

Francis left VWC to take an assistant's post at Division II Mansfield University (Pa.), where he helped guide the Mountaineers to a pair of 30+ win seasons and a 2010 NCAA tournament appearance.  After moving on to become the head coach at St. Rose, Francis is eager now to return to Virginia Wesleyan as only the sixth head coach in the baseball program's 42-year history.

"On behalf of me and my family, I would like to thank President Greer (Billy), Dean Buckingham (David), Athletic Director Joanne Renn, and our alumni and staff for this most gracious honor," said Francis.  I am both humbled and excited to carry on the wonderful tradition of the Virginia Wesleyan baseball program."

Francis returns to VWC to take on the challenge of rebuilding a Marlin program that has  struggled through four straight losing seasons and have not qualified for the ODAC's championship tournament since 2010. Prior to that, VWC won six ODAC titles in a span of 10 years from 1997 through 2006. Marlin teams have also qualified for eight NCAA tournaments, the last in 2006.

Brandon Elliott '03, the head coach of VWC's highly successful softball program, and a former Marlin baseball player during Francis' first stay at the College, is confident in the new coach's abilities.

"I take a lot of pride in the baseball program as an alum and former coach, and couldn't be more excited about the hiring of Chris Francis," said Elliott, a three-time ODAC Coach of the Year in softball. "A lot of my success is due to the positive influence that Chris had on me as a former player and fellow coach.  His energy and passion for the game and his relationships with his players is nothing short of contagious."

Francis' nearly 20 years of intercollegiate coaching has included stops a the University of Rochester and Ithaca College.  It began in 1997 at Rochester where he was an assistant who helped to guide the Yellowjackets to a pair of ECAC titles and an NCAA tourney appearance in 1999. He moved on to Ithaca as an assistant, helping the Bombers to three straight Empire 8 Conference crowns and three straight NCAA tournament berths. Two of those Ithaca teams ranked among the nation's top 20 in ERA.

All of that team success has been complemented by individual accomplishment at each institution.  Francis has helped coach numerous players who have advanced to the professional leagues, including seven from VWC drafted by teams like the Miami Marlins, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs, and the Washington Nationals.

The Marlins are slated to open on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015 in a non-conference doubleheader at Salisbury University in Maryland. Francis joins Associate Head Coach Andy Wissinger, a VWC baseball alumnus, as the team prepares for the upcoming season.

"Together we are excited about the chance to begin a new chapter in this program's rich history," said Francis.  "It is great to be back home in Virginia Beach with so many family and friends.  Go Marlins!"

--- This release is courtesy of the Virginia Wesleyan College sports information department. ---
www.vwcathletics.com