OSHAWA, Ont. – The UOIT Ridgebacks are proud to announce Greg Francis as the programs first men's basketball head coach.
 
Francis steps into the role following UOIT's monumental Ontario University Athletics (OUA) basketball expansion announcement this past May. The team's inaugural OUA season will be 2019-20.
 
"It is an absolute honour to be entrusted with building the UOIT basketball program," said Francis. "My hope is to structure this team as part of the overall UOIT community and to develop a championship environment that will be contagious to every student, athlete, coach and staff throughout the entire campus."
 
Francis steps into the new position familiar with the basketball landscape throughout Canada having spent the past three years as Canada Basketball's men's high-performance manager and technical director.
 
In this role he established and implemented specific target models and assisted with development programs such as targeted athletes, junior academy and provincial curriculum. A highlight for Francis during this period includes Canada winning gold at the 2017 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, the best-ever result for the men's basketball program at a FIBA tournament.
 
In addition to his managerial role, Francis has also served as head coach with the junior men's national team and as an assistant with the senior men's national team at a variety of events from 2005 to 2014. This includes capturing two FIBA U18 American Qualifier bronze medals in 2008 and 2010, and serving as an assistant at the 2013 FIBA World Championship in Caracas, Venezuela.
 
The Toronto, Ontario native is no stranger to the OUA and U SPORTS ranks having also served as head coach with the University of Waterloo Warriors from 2013 to 2015 and the University of Alberta Golden Bears from 2009 to 2012. Francis claimed the 2012 Canada West championship with the latter, going on to take home U SPORTS silver at that year's national championship.
 
"To have someone of Greg's calibre take the helm of this program as we launch next fall is something we are very excited about," said UOIT Ridgebacks athletic director Scott Barker. "Greg brings with him an ability to lead every aspect of a program because of the immeasurable amount of experience he possesses, from being an Olympic calibre player himself, to his work coaching at the highest levels and managing a national sporting organizations development."
 
Francis competed as a member of Team Canada's men's basketball team at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and 1998 FIBA World Championship. He is an NCCP Level 3 certified coach and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Fairfield University and a Master of Arts from the University of Alberta.