Mark Francis (soccer)
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Place of birth | London, England | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1983–1987 | Southern Methodist | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1988–1989 | Orlando Lions | ||
| 1989–1990 | Dayton Dynamo (indoor) | ||
| 1990–1991 | Richardson Rockets | ||
| 1992 | North Texas Mid-Cities Flyers | ||
| 1993 | DFW Toros | ||
| 1994 | Dallas Rockets | ||
| 1995–1996 | Mesquite Kickers (indoor) | ||
| 1997 | Mobile Revellers | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| 1991–1996 | Highland Park High School | ||
| 1995 | Brookhaven College | ||
| 1997 | Mobile Revellers | ||
| 1996–1998 | University of South Alabama | ||
| 1999–2023 | University of Kansas | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Mark Francis is an English former-American soccer midfielder who played in the American Soccer League, American Indoor Soccer Association, SISL and USISL. He has also coached at the high school, college and professional levels. He retired from his position as the women's head coach of the University of Kansas October 23, 2023.
Youth
Francis attended Southern Methodist University, playing on the men's soccer team from 1983 to 1987. During his four seasons, he was a three time All American, second team in 1984,[1] third team in 1985[2] and first team in 1986.[3] He graduated from SMU in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in physical education.
Professional
In 1988, Francis signed with the Orlando Lions of the American Soccer League, remaining with them through the 1989 season.[4][5] In the fall of 1989, he joined the Dayton Dynamo of the American Indoor Soccer Association. The Dayton Dynamo lost to the Canton Invaders in the championship series. In 1990, he then moved to the Richardson Rockets for the SISL summer indoor soccer season. He continued to play for the Rockets until 1992. In 1991, the SISL was renamed the USISL and the Rockets became the North Texas Mid-Cities Flyers. During this time, the Rockets/Flyers alternated between summer indoor and winter outdoor seasons. The Rockets won the 1991 SISL outdoor season. In 1993, Francis moved to the DFW Toros before returning to the Flyers, now known as the Dallas Rockets in 1993. In 1995, Francis moved again, this time to the Mesquite Kickers for the USISL Indoor season before finishing his playing career with the Mobile Revellers.