by Andre van der Merwe
Daily Lobo
With a new coach comes a new system, and with a new system comes new recruiting ideas.
But UNM track and field and cross country head coach Joe Franklin said that even though it's a new system, the program will continue to pursue local athletes.
He said he and his staff will pitch the financial benefits of staying in-state.
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"The opportunity with the Lottery Scholarship, that's an unbelievable opportunity," Franklin said. "I'll first touch base with all the kids in New Mexico that we think have the ability to compete at the Division 1 level."
The benefit of having New Mexico residents running in the program is that they feel at home and comfortable with their surroundings, Franklin said.
Another way to attract athletes is the training in the high altitudes of New Mexico, he said.
However, Franklin said it is funding from the state that will make recruiting local athletes easier.
"It's a state-supported institution," he said. "It just makes sense, and it is the only Division 1 institution in the state that has men's track and field. So, we're going to utilize that first."
Franklin said he will look for other scholarship possibilities for local athletes and then start recruiting nationally and internationally.
In his first year coaching in the Mountain West Conference, Franklin has some hurdles to clear before his debut Sept. 8.
Franklin said he expects to be at the top of the MWC and be nationally competitive. He said he also expects to have six to eight national qualifiers, and those factors are key to a successful season.
Franklin anticipates that the men's and women's cross country teams will have a shot to get into the NCAA Championships with the help of his staff.
"I expect everybody to strive for excellence," he said. "The staff that we've put together is a staff that is going to give the students every opportunity to be successful."
Coming from Butler University, Franklin has seen his teams perform at an elite level before. He guided a team to the NCAA Cross Country Championships in five of the last six years.
UNM distance runner Jeremy Johnson -- who qualified for the national championships in the spring - said he has faith Franklin can do big things with the Lobos.
"He brings great experience to the table," Johnson said. "He's shown he can bring teams to nationals. He'll help with the guys and girls to go to nationals in cross country. With track, I think he can pull a lot of guys into nationals as well."
In order for that to happen, there will have to be a smooth transition from former head coach Matt Henry - who retired after last season - to Franklin heading the Lobo program.
Johnson said he is confident that will happen.
"He came in right away and started working his butt off," he said. "I'm really happy this coach was picked, and I hope he can continue to build on what the Henrys started. He seems to be a great coach and great mentor. Everything a top program would look for in a coach. It's a great day to be a Lobo."
