Football News and Updates

Franklin Stephens is a native of Keysville, Georgia located in Burke County Georgia. Coach

Stephens attended Georgia Southern University where he started for three years as a center and

guard for the 1993 Southern Conference Champions. As a senior Stephens was elected a Team

Captain. Additionally, Coach Stephens was twice named All-America and All-Southern

Conference while winning the Jacob’s Blocking Trophy in 1994 as the Conference’s top

lineman. He graduated from Georgia Southern with a B.S. in Justice Studies and completed his

teacher certification at Paine College.

Coach Stephens obtained his Master’s Degree in Foundations of Education from Troy State

University (2002). He earned his Educational Specialist Degree in Education Leadership from

Argosy University (2006). Coach Stephens also received a Doctorate in Educational Leadership

from Argosy University (2007). Coach Stephens believes that faith, education and work ethic are

key factors in being successful.

Stephens has served as a head coach for 18 years with tenures at Tucker, Lamar County, Ware

County, McEachern, and Burke County High Schools. During his tenure, those schools won two

state championships, along with two additional state runner-up finishes, and 10 region

championships. Further, he was once the fastest coach in the state of Georgia to win 100 games.

Additionally, Coach Stephens has helped over 100 student-athletes move on to play college

football.

He is married to the former L. Renee Simmons of Jacksonville, Florida. Mrs. Stephens is proud

to have had the opportunity to serve her country as a former United States Marine. She

completed her Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Argosy University and is an

assistant principal at Burke County High School. The Stephens’ are the blessed and proud

parents of two children: Donovan and Trinity.

Even though Coach Stephens has experienced tremendous success throughout his life, he is

extremely proud of the fact that he truly learned what it means to put God as head of your life.

God Bless!