Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
Steve Franklin

Steve Franklin enters his second season at Armstrong Atlantic State as an assistant coach for head coach Jeff Burkhamer in 2007-08.

A former player and coach for Burkhamer, Franklin joined AASU from USC Aiken, where he served as an assistant coach for six seasons and as the interim head coach for 18 games during the 2004-05 campaign.

Franklin graduated from USC Aiken in 1994 after a stellar two-year career in which he led the Pacers to the Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament titles in 1992-93. Following his playing career, he assisted coach Burkhamer at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Fla., where the Saints attained numerous national rankings - including a No. 1 ranking among Florida junior colleges - and won two Mid-Florida Conference titles. He served as an interim coach for the Saints in 1998-99, leading the Saints to an 18-12 record, before he returned to his alma mater to serve as an assistant coach to Mike Roberts in 1999.

During his coaching tenure with USC Aiken, Franklin was named the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2003.

A native of Aiken, S.C., Franklin first became acquainted with coach Burkhamer at North Greenville College from 1989-91, playing for the Crusaders and helping lead them to a 58-10 record, two regional titles, two NJCAA tournament appearances and two top 20 national rankings. At South Aiken HS, Franklin was a two-time All-Conference and All-State player for the Thoroughbreds. Franklin will be in charge of recruiting, overseeing academics and will be involved with the individual development of the players on the court.

"We are excited to have Steve Franklin join our basketball program at Armstrong Atlantic State University," coach Burkhamer said. "Steve is a former player and former assistant of mine, but even more importantly Steve is a close friend that I know I can trust and know will be loyal to our program. He is an outstanding recruiter, and will provide tremendous on court coaching to our post players. I am thrilled to have someone with Peach Belt Conference experience and a prior knowledge of me and our system on our coaching staff. Steve will be in charge of recruiting, will oversee academics, and will be heavily involved with the individual development of our players on the court. I believe Steve is a perfect fit for our basketball program."