Tony Francis is in his seventh season as an assistant coach at Saint Louis University. In addition to his primary on-court responsibility of developing the team's post players, he is the program's recruiting coordinator and has been instrumental in helping the Billikens sign some of the top talent in the St. Louis area and beyond. Francis was a highly regarded high school coach at Silex (Mo.) High School from 1994 to 2002. He led the Owls to the 2001 Class 1A Missouri state championship and was named the 1A Coach of the Year. Silex finished with a 25-4 record the following season, including an overtime loss to eventual state champion New Haven in the regional tournament. During his tenure, Francis guided Silex to five district titles and five conference crowns. The Owls reached the 1A state tournament quarterfinals three times under his direction. Francis coached five All-State players and had nine players earn college basketball scholarships. Francis was selected Lincoln County Coach of the Year five times and earned a Northeast District Coach of the Year award. He has coached in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Game and boasts an eight-year record of 159-67 at Silex. Francis was named to Who's Who Among America's Teachers six times in eight years at Silex. He also coached the Silex softball team to a runner-up finish in the Missouri state tournament and to three appearances in the state semifinals. In addition, Francis served as athletic director for three years and was the cross country coach. Francis was a guard on the basketball team at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo., where he graduated in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He began his coaching career as a student assistant at his alma mater and helped the team win a Heart of America Athletic Conference title. Francis and his wife, Rhonda, have two daughters, Lexis and Arianna. |
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