Derek Francis will be entering his third season as the hitting/outfield coach for the Hornets during the 2019 season.

The Manhattan, Kan. native started his collegiate playing career at Iowa Western Community College (2013-14) where he was a part of the 2014 Junior College 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.

Francis is a graduate of Emporia State and was an All-Conference selection as a senior for the Hornets. 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.

This past summer, Francis was the head coach of the Junction City Brigade where he led the team to the Cowdin Cup title and was the Mid Plains League Coach of The Year.  He plans to return to Junction City for the 2019 summer.