Dear Monticello family,
Over the past two months, we have been engaged in a competitive search for our next Head Boys Basketball Coach, with the goal of identifying a leader who will bring our program a level of excellence that both honors the values of our school and charts a confident vision for its future growth. During this process, our interview committee including myself, coaches, administrators, parent(s), community member(s) and current student-athletes met with a very impressive group of candidates. One candidate ultimately was selected from this detailed process, based on his deep knowledge of the game, strategic vision, strong relationships with student-athletes and coaching staff alike, and a commitment to leading Monticello boys basketball into a new era of achievement both on and off the court.
I am pleased to announce that Mr. Davis Franklin will be our new Head Boys Basketball Coach. Coach Franklin joins our Monticello family from Boston Trinity Academy in Massachusetts, where he served his school community as Dean of Students in addition to coaching basketball. Previously, Coach Franklin taught and coached at The Carmel School near Fredericksburg. Originally from Henrico County near Richmond (Deep Run H.S.), Coach Franklin earned degrees from Washington & Lee University and Yale University before beginning his career in education.
His coaching philosophy encompasses the foundational principles of Respect, Self-Knowledge, Conditioning and Joy. Coach Franklin’s administration at Boston Trinity Academy, as well as coaches who worked on his staff, were resoundingly adamant that student-athletes in Coach Franklin’s program learn the fundamentals, build strength and knowledge, and repeatedly practice pressure situations so they are mentally prepared in games. He has crafted a detailed year-by-year plan to grow our program and student-athletes at all levels from youth to varsity, and is eager to cultivate strong and welcoming mentoring relationships with the students of Monticello High School.
Please CLICK HERE for a letter to our Boys Basketball community from Coach Franklin.
Joining Coach Franklin on the varsity team is Coach Tal Thompson, who returns for his third season as an Assistant Coach with the Mustangs, is “super excited to get to work with Coach Franklin” and will lead summer basketball workouts until Coach Franklin’s relocation from Boston to Southern Albemarle County is complete. Head JV Coach Molly Shephard and Assistant Coaches Michael Gray, Matt Giese and Charles Stevenson have committed to returning to the program, while additional coaches – returning and/or new – will be confirmed at a later date.
Boys Basketball summer workouts are scheduled for the following dates from 7:30-9:00pm… June 10, 11, 13, 17, 24, 25, 27; July 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18. Team Camp at Hampden-Sydney College is scheduled for June 18-20. Please contact Coach Tal (tthompson3@k12albemarle.org) regarding summer workouts or team camp.
Please CLICK HERE to complete a contact information Google Form to be shared directly with Coach Franklin and Coach Tal. Any student interested in information regarding Monticello Boys Basketball for the 2024-2025 school year is encouraged to complete this informational Google Form.
I would like to thank the members of the interview committee, along with everyone who shared their insights through other forms of outreach over the last two months. Every typed, written or spoken word regarding the direction of our program was received with care and consideration. Finally, I would like to thank our Principal, Dr. Beth Costa, for her engagement in this process, as it reached its final stages during one of the busiest times of the school year, and her strong endorsement of Mr. Franklin as our next Head Boys Basketball Coach.
My sincere appreciation to all stakeholders for your support of Monticello Mustangs basketball. I look forward with great anticipation to watching the program flourish under Coach Franklin’s leadership, and I hope you will all join me in congratulating him and wishing him the greatest of success in his new role.
Kind Regards,
Matthew Pearman, Sr.
Director of Athletics
Monticello High School