MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois assistant football coach Carl Franks was one of 60 coaches nationwide selected to participate in the NFL/NCAA Football Academy. Franks traveled to Orlando, Florida, earlier this month for the three-day workshop.

Participants for the Football Coaches Academy were selected by athletic administrators, American Football Coaches Association members and former college coaches. The mission of the NCAA Football Coaches Academy is to assist ethnic minority football coaches with career advancement through skills enhancement, networking and exposure opportunities while raising awareness regarding the substantial pool of talented ethnic minority coaches.

Sessions included instruction from college, NFL and high school coaches, business leaders and athletic administrators. Topics were: how to build a personal and professional brand; managing budgets; successful networking; media messaging; tactics to become an offensive/defensive coordinator; understanding coaching contracts; insight to the hiring process; issues in higher education; building relationships in college; effective leadership; understanding the academic landscape; and the interview process. Keynote speakers included Dan Reeves (former head coach of the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons), Brian Kelly (head coach, University of Notre Dame), Aaron Kelton (head coach, Williams College) and Charlie Casserly (former general manager of the Washington Redskins).

Franks, who enters his third year coaching the defensive backs, helped coach the Leathernecks to a Second Round NCAA FCS playoff appearance last fall (8-5 overall). During the opening round win at Coastal Carolina the defense picked off four passes - five turnovers in all - to secure the program's first postseason win in seven years.

Last year the secondary accounted for seven interceptions and 40 pass break-ups. During his first year with the Leathernecks he coached All-Missouri Valley Football Conference and All-American Patrick Stoudamire.

 "The NFL/NCAA Coaches Academy was a tremendous experience for me. I met some great people, coaches, and NFL players," said Franks. "I was able to obtain valuable information on how to better myself as a person and a coach."