Men's Basketball Southern Conference

Franklin Joins CofC Coaching Staff

Charleston, S.C. -- Lamont Franklin, an assistant coach at Towson University last season, has been named assistant men's basketball coach at College of Charleston, head coach Tom Herrion announced on Friday.

Franklin replaces Stacey Palmore who left to become an assistant coach at Virginia Tech. Franklin is the third new member on Herrion's staff for the 2004-05 campaign. Earlier, Herrion named former Cougar standout Troy Wheless the team's administrative assistant, and announced the hiring of Sean Ryan as an assistant coach earlier this week.

Franklin was the top assistant for head coach Michael Hunt at Towson. He was the recruiting coordinator and was responsible for game day preparation and scouting.

Franklin worked from 2001 to 2003 at Florida A&M University. Franklin, who worked as an assistant coach in 2001-02 before being elevated to associate head coach for the 2002-03 season, was the team's recruiting coordinator and responsible for scheduling, game day preparation, individual skill workouts and the weight training program. He tutored Terrance Woods, who led the nation in 3-point field goals made in 2002, and again this past season.

Franklin also served as an assistant coach at Mount St. Mary's College (2000-01), Howard University (1998-00) and his alma mater UNC Wilmington (1997-98).

He earned a degree in Business Systems from UNC Wilmington in 1997. He earned four letters as a guard with the Seahawks from 1994 to 1997 playing for coaches Kevin Eastman (1994) and Jerry Wainwright (1995-97).

Franklin, who was named the Seahawk's Defensive Player of the Year his last two seasons, earned Colonial Athletic Association All-Defensive team honors in 1997. He's ranks in the top five on the school's all-time assists list. He prepped four seasons at Crossland High School (Temple Hills, Md.).

Franklin comes from a basketball rich family. His brother, Levi Franklin, who served as Lamont's head coach during his senior season at Crossland High School in 1992-93, is currently the head coach at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Va.

"Lamont has a great deal of experience and we welcome him to the College community," said Herrion, who's entering his third season at Charleston with a 45-17 record. "He has played for and worked with some excellent people in this profession, so he has a great deal to offer our staff. I am really excited that we can add someone like Lamont to our staff, he's a great addition."

"I'm extremely excited about joining coach Herrion's staff and the College of Charleston family," added Franklin, who helped coach UNCW to an NIT appearance in 1998. "With the rich tradition of the College of Charleston men's basketball program I'm looking forward to working closely with coach Herrion and the entire athletic staff to continue to build on the legacy of Cougar basketball."

He is married to the former Lisa Henley of Mitchellville, Md. Their son, Cameron James, was born June 28, 2004.