On Jan. 30, DU hired from within and chose Jamie Franks to be the next head coach for Denver’s men’s soccer team. Franks is the tenth head coach in school history and has been an assistant for the team for the past four years. Frank’s alma mater is Wake Forest University, where he played soccer from 2005-09. Franks had a brief professional playing career before returning to Wake Forest as an assistant coach from 2011-2012, he then moved on to become an assistant at DU.

Franks is replacing former DU head coach Bobby Muuss, who coincidentally left the Pioneers to become the Wake Forest head coach. Muuss spent eight seasons as the head coach for DU men’s soccer, seeing the team grow and reach new heights. In both 2013 and 2014, the team reached the NCAA Tournament.

Franks has four seasons of experience with the Pioneers and the positive effects of his coaching have been visible. Primarily dealing with the midfielders and forwards, Franks helped the men’s soccer team finish in the Top 15 for goals scored in the nation in both 2012 and 2013. On top of his assistant coaching responsibilities, Franks also helped the team through film analysis, budgeting, recruiting and fundraising.

“Jamie is the ultimate competitor, and we can’t wait to get him started with our team,” said Muuss when Franks was hired by Denver four seasons ago.

That competitive spirit has driven Franks to the top of the coaching totem pole. The soccer team’s 2014 season ended in the first round of the NCAA Tournament with a 1-0 loss to Oregon State University, but the Pioneers still had a successful campaign.