It is with great sadness the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks have learned of the passing of Greg Francis on April 2. He was the university's first men's basketball head coach.
 
Greg stepped into the role in 2018, preparing for the program's first Ontario University Athletics (OUA) season in 2019-20.
 
He laid the foundation at Ontario Tech. Starting with recruiting the first players, he eventually led them to their first OUA win on January 13, 2020. Over his two seasons as head coach, he established a team that competed with the best in the OUA. At the conclusion of the program's inaugural season, Greg's first recruit – Graddy Kanku – was recognized as a member of the OUA all-rookie team.
 
Francis joined the Ridgebacks, familiar with the basketball landscape throughout Canada, having spent the previous 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 included 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 native was also 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.
 
Following his time with the Ridgebacks, in 2022 he moved into role with Ontario Basketball Association as director of sport development.