Stillman Announces New Volleyball Coach

Stillman College Athletic Director Terrance Whittle Monday announced the hiring of Theresa Berry-Franks as the Tigers' new women's volleyball head coach. She most recently helped reinstate the Bevill State Community College women's volleyball program as head coach from 2016-2020. She succeeds interim head coach Emiley Madison, who guided Stillman's program from October 2022-December 2023.

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“This is such an exciting time to be joining the Stillman College family. Thank you... me a chance to enhance the growth of these young student-athletes both on and off the county while returning Stillman college volleyball to a competitive force in the conference. My husband, Jerome Franks, a Stillman alumnus, son JT, and I are looking forward to being a part of the Stillman family, rallying the community around the volleyball program and sharing our love and excitement for volleyball to everyone that watches the team at Stillman play,” Berry-Franks said.

Said Whittle: "We are excited to have Theresa Franks as our head volleyball coach. Her experience as a former player, coach and recruiter in the NAIA will serve our program well as we continue to build a solid foundation for the future.

“I have been equally impressed with her ability to build a program from the ground level. Her energy, enthusiasm and commitment to academic excellence and player accountability will serve our young woman well.”

Berry-Franks graduated from Faulkner University in 2007 with a bachelor's of science in biology after obtaining her associates of science in pre-med from Bevill State in 2004. She was a high-academic student-athlete for both programs. She later received a master's of science in human and environmental sciences from the University of Alabama.

She began her coaching career as a graduate assistant and then full-time assistant coach at Faulkner University. In 2017, Bevill State reinstated its program in Fayette, Alabama, following a five-year hiatus. During the first three seasons, under Berry-Franks leadership, Bevill State posted a 15-56 record and produced its first Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) All-Conference student-athlete since the program's return. She also served as a coach with the West Alabama Juniors club volleyball team.

A native of Berry, Alabama, during her playing career as an outside hitter, defensive specialist and setter, Berry-Franks was recognized for her high academics as a selection to the ACCC All-Alabama Academic Team, an NAIA Scholar Athlete and National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Scholar Athlete. In 2004, she was named the NJCAA Student Athlete of the Year (The Lea Plarski Award). Berry-Franks is also a member of the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame.

Following her coaching tenure at Bevill State, she served as academic tutor at Bevill State and became an entrepreneur as owner of Inkfinite Designs.