West Virginia Wesleyan College Athletics

Josh Francis serves as the Recruiting Coordinator, Run Game Coordinator, and Linebackers Coach at Wesleyan, bringing a blend of high-level playing experience and proven defensive development to the Bobcats’ staff. A former standout linebacker at West Virginia University and a signee of the Green Bay Packers, Francis has built a coaching résumé marked by production, discipline, and player advancement.
 
Prior to his role at WVWC, Francis spent two seasons at West Liberty University as the Defensive Line Coach, where his unit produced 178 tackles, 32 sacks, and 78 tackles for loss while developing four All-Conference performers, including a Super Regional 1 standout. He also served as the Linebackers Coach at Waynesburg University in 2021, mentoring key defensive contributors Isaac Huey, James Davis, and Austin Derr. In 2020, Francis coached at Geneva College as the Defensive Line and Pass Rush Coordinator, guiding First-Team All-PAC linebacker Dakota Allen to a conference-leading season in both tackles and interceptions.
 
Francis’ playing career includes professional experience after signing with the Green Bay Packers in 2015, along with stints in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers and in the Indoor Football League with the Wichita Falls Nighthawks. Collegiately, he earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors at West Virginia University, leading the Mountaineers in both sacks and tackles for loss during the 2012 season. He completed his WVU career with 57 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 17 tackles for loss after beginning his college career at Lackawanna College, where he was recognized as a 2010 NJCAA First-Team All-American.
 
A native of Damascus, Maryland, Francis holds a degree in Sociology and Anthropology from West Virginia University and is currently pursuing his MBA at West Liberty University. He and his wife, Melinda Francis, are the proud parents of four children—Lilielle, Josh Jr., Elijah, and Isaac.