The reigning Heart of America Athletic Conference Baseball Assistant Coach of the Year returns to Park University. Beau Franklin rejoins the Pirates' coaching staff as the program's new hitting coach, following a highly successful five-year tenure at Baker University. Widely recognized as a dynamic player developer and a highly successful recruiter, Franklin has built a reputation for identifying top-tier talent and elevating his players' physical mechanics and baseball IQ. In 2026, his exceptional impact on the field culminated in conference assistant coach of the year honors after he helped guide the Baker Wildcats to a spectacular 29-20 record—marking the program's highest single-season win total in three years.
During his five seasons with the Wildcats, Franklin's elite recruiting classes and on-field mentorship were instrumental in building a championship-caliber culture. Under his direct guidance, he developed and coached NAIA 3rd-Team All-American Camden Karlin, alongside a decorated group of All-Conference performers. Notably, his offensive and positional tutoring helped mold first-team selections like catcher Brian Hawkins and John Raybourn, second-team standout Peyton Lewis, and honorable mention infielder Tucker Flory. His knack for tracking down impact recruits and extracting maximum potential from his roster established him as one of the premier assistant coaches in the NAIA.
Franklin’s return to Park University marks a homecoming, as he previously spent four successful seasons as a Pirates assistant coach from 2017 to 2021. His coaching journey also includes a three-year stint at his alma mater, Wentworth Military College, where he served as both an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator before taking over the head coaching reins for the 2016–2017 season.Â
Beyond the traditional collegiate seasons, Franklin has been a fundamental pillar of regional youth and collegiate summer baseball. Since 2014, he has served as a prominent head coach and instructor for the Yard Baseball Club (YBC), working extensively with high school travel teams and leading clubs in both the Ban Johnson Collegiate League and the Kansas City Collegiate Baseball League (KCCBL).
Franklin’s coaching philosophy remains deeply rooted in a decorated playing career. As a standout right-handed pitcher and infielder at Wentworth Military College (NJCAA), he earned All-Conference and All-District honors in all four years in High school. He was an All-State selection in 2012 and was twice named WMC’s Most Outstanding College Player. Today, Coach Franklin channels that exact competitive drive, aggressive recruiting edge, and offensive expertise into mentoring athletes, giving them the strategic and physical tools necessary to excel at the next level.
Franklin resides in Odessa, MO, with his longtime girlfriend, Karley Nance, and their three children: Benson, Bayla, and Boston.
