North Central Missouri College Athletics has announced the promotion of Taylor Francis to Head Coach of the NCMC men's and women's Cross Country and Track & Field programs.

Francis takes over the position after serving as the program's assistant coach during its inaugural year, where she played a key role in helping establish the foundation of the program with outgoing coach Mike Witten. From recruiting student-athletes to assisting with day-to-day operations, practice planning, meet preparation, and athlete development, Francis was instrumental in helping launch a successful first season for the Pirates.

Over the past year, Francis has been especially active on the recruiting trail, building relationships with high school coaches while identifying student-athletes who fit the culture and vision of the program. Her efforts have already helped assemble a strong incoming recruiting class that will provide depth and talent across multiple events as the Pirates continue to grow.

"As an assistant, Taylor did a great job in helping get the new track and field programs jump started," said NCMC Athletic Director Nate Gamet. "She has proven this year that she can run a program and earned the opportunity to be our next head coach for men's and women's Cross Country / Track & Field."

Francis helped guide the Pirates through a successful inaugural campaign that saw student-athletes compete throughout the region while establishing a competitive presence in both cross country and track & field. Under her guidance as an assistant, several athletes qualified for national championship competition, providing an early indication of the program's potential as it continues to develop.

As head coach, Francis will oversee all aspects of the programs, including recruiting, practice planning, athlete development, academic success, and program operations. Her familiarity with the current roster, combined with the relationships she has built throughout the recruiting process, provides continuity as the Pirates prepare for the upcoming season.

With a strong returning nucleus and an impressive incoming recruiting class, Francis and the Pirates look to continue building one of the NJCAA's rising cross country and track & field programs while competing for conference, regional, and national success.