Women's Rowing 8/9/2024 9:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Jimmy Francis Named Interim Head Rowing Coach

Francis Enters Fourth Year With UCO Rowing Program

EDMOND – Jimmy Francis was named interim head coach of the Central Oklahoma rowing program Friday following the departure of second-year coach Jen Gilbert, with Francis now leading the program he's helped keep a national contender for the past three years. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Francis came to Central Oklahoma in August 2021.

"We are thankful to have Jimmy Francis on staff," UCO Vice President for Athletics Stan Wagnon said. "He has been a constant contributor over the past three years. He loves UCO, understands who we are, and knows how we can be successful. He's adapted and learned while serving loyally under two successful head coaches. And so, we are excited for Jimmy to step into the role of interim head coach."

Leading the recruiting efforts, novice program, and coaching championship boats on the water, Francis has held firm the Bronchos perennial success on the national stage.

He led UCO to a third-place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division II Rowing National Championships, helping the Varsity 4+ and Varsity 8+ boats each earn third-place finishes. The Bronchos finished third at the GNAC Championships as well. Francis coached two All-Americans, two All-Conference picks, and a Division-II best eight scholar athletes in 2024 as the team competed in a 12th consecutive national championship race.

Francis helped the team make its 10th consecutive NCAA Division II national championship appearance in his first season, 2022, where the Bronchos finished fifth in the team standings. He then helped make it 11 in a row in 2023, leading the Bronchos to a national runner-up finish at the NCAA Division II Rowing Championships.

UCO that spring also won golds at the FIRA Championships, the Knecht Cup Regatta and the WIRA Championships. Central swept its way to the 2023 GNAC Championship before heading to nationals. There, the Bronchos finished second in both the V4+ and V8+ finals for a national runner up finish.

Francis came to UCO after working as a graduate assistant at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, where he earned a master's degree in Exercise and Sports Science. He earned two bachelor's degrees – one in Psychology and the other Human Performance – from Oklahoma City University, where he graduated in 2019.

As a rower, Francis earned a Bronze medal in lightweight 4x at the 2018 U23 World Championships. He also competed in lightweight 1x in 2017 at the U23 World Championships. And he received the Jim Wade award for Student Athlete of the Year 2017 and 2019.

Francis has coaching experience dating back to 2016 with St. Louis Rowing Club, which he competed with during his high school years prior to that.

Central Oklahoma begins rowing this fall, with racing in September and October before the Bronchos aim for a 13th consecutive trip to the national championships Spring 2025.

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