Chris Franklin was chosen as EKU’s safeties coach in April 2020. He became the program's defensive backs coach in the spring of 2021 and was promoted to the role of defensive passing game coordinator in April 2023.
In his third season at EKU, Colonel defensive backs tallied six of the team's 10 interceptions on the season. EKU held No. 15 Southeast Missouri to 10 points in the second half of a comeback victory and limited Central Arkansas to its lowest point total against an FCS opponent of the season.
EKU defensive backs 21 pass breakups, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. The Colonels held five different opponents to less than 175 yards through the air.
In the spring of 2021, Franklin moved to coaching the defensive backs. The Colonel defense ranked fourth nationally in defensive touchdowns and 15th in red-zone defense, allowing opponents to score just 10.1 points per game in the second half. Cornerback Davion Ross was named a consensus All-American and the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year after returning three interceptions for touchdowns and breaking up 13 passes
Colonel cornerbacks recorded 25 pass breakups on the year as EKU held three different teams to less than 160 yards passing.
In his first season, Franklin helped the defense stymie a pair of Southern Conference offenses helping EKU beat The Citadel, 37-14, on the road and Western Carolina, 49-17, in the 2020 Opportunity Bowl. EKU also knocked off No. 11 Central Arkansas for the program’s first win over a top-25 ranked team since 2013, and first victory over a non-conference ranked team since 2003. Eastern held Troy to 10 second half points as EKU nearly upset the FBS Trojans on the road.
Safety Kmare Carey ranked ninth in the nation during the fall season with 0.40 interceptions per game. As a team, Eastern Kentucky was third in the country during the fall season with 16 turnovers gained.
“I got to know Chris when he played at WKU,” head coach Walt Wells said. “He is a hard worker and a very intelligent young man. As a walk-on he earned the trust of his coaches and teammates, and earned a scholarship. I also had the opportunity to work with him here on the staff at EKU in 2015. He’ll be great help in the secondary and will do a great job recruiting.”
Franklin spent the 2019 season working with cornerbacks in a defensive quality control position at Western Kentucky University. He helped the Hilltoppers to a 9-4 record and a victory in the 2019 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl.
The Louisville, Kentucky native assisted the defensive coordinator with the development of cornerbacks. He analyzed and corrected technique, and was responsible for route concept ID on game days. Franklin also conducted opponent/self-scout film breakdown.
In 2019, WKU produced a top-25 rated defense. Western allowed only 20.1 points per game, which was the lowest mark for the program since 2004 and ranked No. 22 in FBS. The Hilltoppers ranked 24th in total defense with 335.5 yards allowed per game, and 28th with 200 passing yards allowed per game. In a 45-19 win at Arkansas, the defense held the Razorbacks to just 87 yards through the air.
During the 2017 and 2018 seasons, Franklin was the defensive backs coach and punt return coach at Arkansas Tech University. He coached all-conference and All-America safety Cua Rose.
Franklin spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons on the coaching staff at the University of West Georgia. In 2015 he was a graduate assistant working with strong safeties. He served as the cornerbacks coach in 2016. He helped the Wolves capture a Gulf South Conference championship in his first season. In 2016 he tutored two all-conference cornerbacks – Marcus Sayles and Jakyron Young. Sayles was a NFL free agent signee.
In the spring of 2015, Franklin worked with EKU linebackers in a defensive quality control position.
A defensive back during his playing days with the Hilltoppers, Franklin earned a degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in technology from Western Kentucky University in 2009. He and his wife Ashley have three sons – Caleb, CJ and Cameron, and one daughter – Amiya’h.
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