Coach Anthony Franz enters his sixth season leading the Crown College football program in 2026. In 2025, he guided the Polars to their first UMAC Championship in program history, posting a 7-4 overall record and 6-1 mark in conference play. The historic season earned Crown its first-ever NCAA Division III Playoff berth, produced the best record in school history, and earned Franz the 2025 UMAC Coach of the Year award. The championship capped a remarkable turnaround built on “Loving Jesus and playing violent football.”
In his five seasons with the Polars, Franz has produced significant program milestones, including 34 UMAC All-Conference selections, 20 UMAC Player of the Week awards, and 60 school records broken. The 2025 championship season added to that legacy with standout individual honors, including Offensive Player of the Year, Offensive Lineman of the Year, and Co-Defensive Lineman of the Year. Franz has overseen five of the largest recruiting classes in Crown history and has continued fuel the turnaround with talented, young rosters.
The St. Charles, Missouri native enters his 21st year of football coaching. He is a proven recruiter and team builder with a passion for spiritual and academic development. Prior to Crown, Coach Franz was leading the football program at Trinity International University and had been on staff there since 2016.
During his time as offensive coordinator, Franz revitalized the Trojan offense, becoming the fifth-best passing attack in the NAIA. He started at Trinity in 2016 as the Defensive Line Coach before switching to Offensive Line in 2017. He then took over as the Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator in 2018 and Offensive Coordinator in 2019. Franz helped student-athletes achieve 19 All-Conference honors, four All-NCCAA honors, and three players earned All-NAIA Scholar honors.
Before Trinity International University, he coached at Dordt University from 2012-2016 in various positions, including Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Line Coach, Offensive Line Coach, and Wide Receivers Coach. In 2008-2009 he served the Indoor Football League's RiverCity Rage as their Director of Football Operations, helping lead them to the 2009 United Bowl. In addition to his collegiate and professional experience, Franz also has understanding of the high school football scene, coaching Francis Howell North High School from 2006-2012.
Coaching Mission:
- “I use football as a vehicle to bring athletes into a closer relationship with Jesus, to disciple them, and send them out to grow the Kingdom.”
Education:
- Lindenwood University – Bachelor of Arts in History, Social Studies, and Secondary Education [2010]
- Dordt University – Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration, General, Educational Leadership [2015]
Experience:
- Crown College, Head Football Coach [2021—present]
- Trinity International University, Head Football Coach [2021]
- Trinity International University, Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator [2017—2021]
- Trinity International University, Assistant Head Coach [2016—2017]
- Dordt College, Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach [2015—2016]
- Dordt College, Offensive Line Coach and HHP Professor [2014—2015]
- Dordt College, Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Assistant [2012—2014]
- Francis Howell North High School, History Teacher, Football, Track, and Girls Basketball Coach [2006—2012]
- River City Rage, Football Operations Assistant and Assistant Coach [2008—2009]
Personal Information:
- Anthony resides in Chaska, MN.
- He is married to “the most amazing woman on the planet,” Jessica Franz.
- He is father to 3 spirited girls, Aley (6yr), Mila (4yr), and Eliana (1yr).
Career Record (at Crown):
Year Record UMAC UMAC Finish Postseason
2021 1-9 0-7 6th -
2022 3-7 3-3 4th -
2023 1-8 1-4 5th -
2024 1-9 1-6 5th -
2025 7-4 6-1 1st NCAA DIII First Round
Overall 13-37
