Lamar University head women’s basketball, and 2024 Southland Conference Coach of the Year, Aqua Franklin, has signed a four-year extension taking her through the 2027-28 announced Director of Athletics Jeff O’Malley.
“We are very excited to be making this announcement,” said O’Malley. “I couldn’t be happier about the success that women’s basketball has achieved on the court and in the classroom. The program has been on an upward trajectory under Coach Franklin’s leadership and we’re excited to know she will remain our head coach through the 2027-28 season.”
The Cardinals returned to the top of the Southland Conference standings in 2023-24 posting a 24-7 (.774) overall record and a near perfect 17-1 (.944) SLC mark. Along the way, the Cardinals rattled off a 14-game win streak which was the longest since the 2018-19 campaign.
Big Red also advanced to the SLC Championship game for a second consecutive season, which is the first time Lamar has advanced to the tournament finals in consecutive seasons.
In addition to Franklin’s coach of the year honor, she produced two first-team all-conference selections this season, including the league player of the year (Akasha Davis) and an all-defensive team selection. Davis became the fourth Cardinal to receive the Southland’s highest honor.
“I extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to President Dr. Taylor and Director of Athletics, Jeff O’Malley, for their continued support, trust and confidence in our women’s basketball program,” said Franklin. “The hard work of our student-athletes and staff has not gone unnoticed. Thank you to our fans and Southeast Texas for the love you all have shown over the last few years. The blueprint is still the same extending the success of recent years – winning championships, playing in the conference tournament championship and next going to the NCAA tournament.”
Franklin just wrapped up her fifth season at Lamar and has posted a 78-67 (.537) overall record, with two 20-win campaigns, two trips to the SLC Tournament Championship game and the 2023-24 regular-season crown. Franklin’s squads have posted improved winning percentages each year she’s been on campus culminating in the 24-7 (.774) mark this past season, which equals the third-best single-season win total in program history.
https://lamarcardinals.com/news/2024/5/17/womens-basketball-franklin-signs-four-year-extension.aspx
Tagged with: Southland
