Mike Leonard is returning as football coach at Franklin College.
The school announced Friday that Leonard, the all-time wins leader at Franklin, would return as coach. Leonard stepped down after the 2019 season following a 17-year tenure with a 129-55 record, including 11 outright or shared Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference championships and nine Division III playoff appearances.
Leonard, who was inducted into the Indiana Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2022, turned Franklin into a Division III powerhouse after he took over in 2003. The former quarterback at Speedway and Hanover College was the offensive coordinator at Hanover prior to taking over at Franklin, which had struggled through four consecutive losing seasons prior to his arrival.
More: How a fierce football game ended a 4-year bet and tattoo sleeve for Franklin College coach
“We are beyond excited to welcome Coach Leonard back home,” Franklin athletic director Lance Marshall said in a release from the school. “With an exceptional track record of success and a deep commitment to building champions both on and off the field, he is the perfect fit to lead our football program. His passion, vision, and dedication will undoubtedly inspire our players and elevate our team to new heights.”
Under Leonard’s guidance, Franklin produced 11 All-Americans.
“I am extremely thankful to President Prather and to our athletic administration for offering me this opportunity again,” Leonard said in a release. “I am thrilled to be the head football coach at Franklin College once again. Since resigning back in 2019, I have enjoyed doing many things, but I realized that I missed leading a team toward a common goal while teaching and learning life lessons along the way. I look forward to re-connecting with faculty and staff, building a phenomenal coaching staff, and recruiting young men who want a first-class four-year educational experience.”
Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 270-4904.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mike Leonard is returning as football coach at Franklin College
