Derek Francis begins his first year as an assistant coach in the Pittsburg State University baseball program. He serves as the program’s infielders coach and provides hitting instruction.
Francis joined the Gorillas staff after serving as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Eastern Illinois University in 2020, working with infielders and hitters. Prior to EIU, he served three years as an assistant coach at MIAA rival Emporia State University (2017-19), working with outfielders and hitters.
The Manhattan, Kan., native started his collegiate playing career at Iowa Western Community College (2013-14) where he was a part of the 2014 NJCAA World Series championship team. He then transferred to Old Dominion for his junior season before returning back to Kansas to play his senior season at Emporia State. He earned All-MIAA honors as a senior for the Hornets and graduated from the school in 2016.
Prior to being hired at Emporia State, Francis coached for the Green Bay Bullfrogs in NWL where he worked with hitters and position players. The following summer, Francis was an assistant coach for the Liberal Bee Jays where he worked with hitters and helped lead The Bee Jays to the NBC World Series. He also served as the head coach of the Junction City Brigade in 2018-19, leading the team to the Cowdin Cup title and earning Mid Plains League Coach of the Year in 2018.
