Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University Head Wrestling Coach Dennis Papadatos today announced the hiring of alumnus and former volunteer assistant coach Jamie Franco as the Pride's new assistant wrestling coach.

Franco, who served as Hofstra's volunteer assistant wrestling coach from 2016 through the 2018 season, completes the Pride coaching staff of second-year assistant coach and former two-time All-American Michael Patrovich, and 2018 All-American and volunteer assistant coach Michael Hughes. Franco replaces Jake Patacsil, who recently accepted the position of head wrestling coach at the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina.

"While it was a sad situation to lose someone like Jake Patacsil, it was a great and easy transition to bring back Jamie Franco," Papadatos said. "The staff and team really loved having him as a volunteer the last two years, so he fits right in. I feel like I got to know Jamie really well when he was a volunteer and I am confident that putting him in this much bigger role as a full-time assistant will pay huge dividends for the program moving forward. He is another Hofstra alum who loves the University and is willing to put the University, student-athletes, and the program first. That's what I'm looking for and Jamie checks all the boxes. We are extremely fortunate to have a situation where we can bring in the perfect coach who happens to be an alumnus, in our back yard, who worked with us, is a light weight, and has great connections. I am excited to get started with a full staff of coaches who love Hofstra Wrestling."
 
Franco returns to the University after serving as operations manager of the Longo and Weidman MMA Training Center in nearby Garden City, New York since 2014. In that capacity he has controlled marketing and advertising campaigns, managed accounts payable, controlled inventory and supervised the non-fighting staff at the facility.

Shortly after starting at Longo and Weidman MMA, Franco added the double duty of owner and head coach at the LAW Wrestling Academy also in Garden City, handling scheduling, coaching and conducting practices for wrestlers and fighters from the ages of five through 30 while also implementing the marketing and advertising campaign for the Academy.

A three-time NCAA Championship qualifier who wrestled at Hofstra from 2009 through 2014, Franco was a two-time Colonial Athletic Association finalist and recorded 75 victories with the Pride during his college career. After posting a career-best 21-13 record and advancing to the CAA Championship finals as a sophomore, he recorded a 19-15 mark including a 3-0 record in the CAA Championship to capture the 133-pound title in 2012-13 record. Franco wrapped up his collegiate career at 125 pounds with a 21-15 overall record, including a 6-1 mark in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA), and a New York State Collegiate Championship title in 2013-14.

Franco served as a coach for youth wrestlers between the ages of five and 18 for the Garden City Grapplers Wrestling Club from 2009 through February 2015. Franco, who graduated from Hofstra with a degree in business marketing in 2014, resides in Merrick, New York.