VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia - Virginia Wesleyan Athletics wants our fans to get to know the coaching staff of each sport offered here at VWU. This week's edition of the Inside Splash segment is with head baseball coach Chris Francis interviewed by VWU Sports Information intern Cody Schneider. Chris Francis began his sixth year at the helm of the Virginia Wesleyan baseball program in 2020 before the season abruptly ended due to COVID-19.
The Inside Splash - Coach Francis
- Tell us a little about yourself and your background…
"I grew up in Westport Ct. I went to Staples high school. I was all county and captain QB of the football team, all county and captain and leading goal scorer of the hockey team, and all county and captain CF of the baseball team. I went to Ithaca college and played in three regionals and the world series. I was all region and captain pitcher. My father was an FBI agent in NYC, and I met my wife Meghan the first day of orientation at Ithaca."
- What is your favorite thing about VWU campus….
"The Batten Athletic wing. I get to spend everyday with my best friends and people I admire and respect the most in this world."
- What is your best memory while coaching at VWU….
"Our 2006 ODAC Championship run and NCAA south run. We won the ODAC tournament on a walk off double and went on to finish 3rd in a 6 team south regional. The best thing about it was we were never over .500 until the ODAC tournament."
- What do you look for in a student athlete while recruiting….
"I look for really good people who have their priorities in order. They are capable of maintaining balance in their academics, social and athletic pursuits."
- Do you have any pre-game superstitions….
" I jog and stretch before and during games like when I was a player."
- What is your favorite fast food/drive thru restaurant….
" Moe's "
- Outside of coaching your sport, what other hobbies do you have or enjoy….
"There are so many things about living in Virginia Beach that I love. My family plays golf, we fish, kayak, surf, and I love watching Christian and Lilly compete in their sports."
- If you could have any super power what would it be and why…
" The power to Heal. Nothing bothers me more than seeing my family, friends, and players suffering or hurting."
- What does the character of your program look like? Do you have a set of values that you instill to your team….
"We try to live by one motto, "Be a good person who serves and is caring of others."
- If you could hang out with any professional athlete (past/present) who would it be and why…
" Peyton Manning. He is a guy that knows how to have a good time and enjoy life. He, like me does not take himself too seriously. "
The head coaching stint is the second time Coach Francis has been at Virginia Wesleyan, guiding the pitching staff from 2003-07. The 2003 pitching staff ranked second nationally with a 2.19 ERA, setting a program record for wins behind a 34-9 record. He was part of a winning campaign each season, highlighted by 30+ win seasons in 2003 and 2004. The Marlins won three ODAC titles, advancing to the NCAA tournament three times.
One of the top pitching instructors, Francis has coached more than 35 players who have signed into professional baseball.
Prior to his return to Virginia Wesleyan, he was the head coach at Division II College of St. Rose in Albany, New York. He has also coached at Division II Mansfield University, where he guided the Mountaineers to a pair of 30+ win seasons and an NCAA tournament appearance. Francis, in total, has led four different baseball programs to NCAA berths.
Francis also has coaching experience at the University of Rochester and Ithaca College. He helped Rochester to a pair of ECAC titles and an NCAA berth in 1999, while also helping Ithaca to three-straight Empire 8 Conference crowns and three NCAA tournament appearances.
He played at Ithaca where he was part of three teams that qualified for the NCAA tournament, with the 1994 squad advancing all the way to the NCAA Division III College World Series. He was an all-region selection in his time on campus and was a recipient of the Carlton "Carp" Wood Award for Attitude. He graduated from Ithaca in 1997.
Career Highlights
- ODAC Championship Appearance - 2015
- ODAC Tournament Appearances - 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
- Guided 36 players into professional baseball
- All-ODAC Honorees – 26
- ODAC Players of the Year – 1
- ODAC Pitchers of the Year – 1
- ODAC Rookies of the Year - 1
- All-State Honorees – 9
- All-Region Honorees – 13
- All-American Honorees – 10
