Crown College Men's Football

Coach Franz enters his fifth year leading the Crown football program in 2025. Franz oversaw the largest recruiting class in Crown history in 2022, and will looks to build off of young talent with the recruiting class of 2025. In his four seasons with the Polars, Franz has totaled 21 UMAC All-Conference selections, 14 UMAC Player of the Week awards, and broke 45 school records. Franz totals a 6-33 record through the first four seasons, finishing 3-7 in 2022 finishing with the most UMAC conference wins since 2015. The St. Charles, Missouri native has 20 years of football coaching experience. He is a proven recruiter and team builder with a passion for spiritual and academic development. Prior to Crown, Coach Franz was leading the football program at Trinity International University and had been on staff there since 2016. During his time as offensive coordinator, Franz revitalized the Trojan offense, becoming the fifth-best passing attack in the NAIA. He started at Trinity in 2016 as the Defensive Line Coach before switching to Offensive Line in 2017. He then took over as the Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator in 2018 and Offensive Coordinator in 2019. Franz has excelled in every area he's coached, helping student-athletes achieve 19 All-Conference honors, four All-NCCAA honors, and three players to All-NAIA Scholar honors. Before Trinity International University, he coached at Dordt University from 2012-2016 in various positions, including Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Line Coach, Offensive Line Coach, and Wide Receivers Coach. In 2008-2009 he served the Indoor Football League's RiverCity Rage as their Director of Football Operations, helping lead them to the 2009 United Bowl. In addition to his collegiate and semi-professional experience, Franz has an excellent understanding of the high school football scene, coaching Francis Howell North High School from 2006-2012. Coaching Mission: “I use football as a vehicle to bring athletes into a closer relationship with Jesus, to disciple them, and send them out to grow the Kingdom.” Education: Lindenwood University – Bachelor of Arts in History, Social Studies, and Secondary Education [2010] Dordt University – Master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration, General, Educational Leadership [2015] Experience: Crown College, Head Football Coach [2021—present] Trinity International University, Head Football Coach [2021] Trinity International University, Assistant Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator [2017—2021] Trinity International University, Assistant Head Coach [2016—2017] Dordt College, Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach [2015—2016] Dordt College, Offensive Line Coach and HHP Professor [2014—2015] Dordt College, Wide Receivers Coach and Recruiting Assistant [2012—2014] Francis Howell North High School, History Teacher, Football, Track, and Girls Basketball Coach [2006—2012] River City Rage, Football Operations Assistant and Assistant Coach [2008—2009] Personal Information: Anthony resides in Chaska, MN. He is married to “the most amazing woman on the planet,” Jessica Franz. He is father to 2 spirited girls, Aley (2yr) and Mila (7mo). Career Record (at Crown): Year                 Record             UMAC             UMAC Finish               Postseason 2021                 1-9                    0-7                        6th                                 - 2022                 3-7                    3-3                        4th                                 - 2023                 1-8                    1-4                        5th                                 - 2024                 1-9                    1-6                        5th                                 - Overall              6-33

Shourds, the newly minted head coach of Crowns tennis programs, is no stranger to the college.  A 2011 graduate of Crown, Shourds has served as an assistant football coach and assistant womens basketball coach and is close to finishing his masters degree in Organizational Leadership. Shourds has a strong tennis background, excelling as youth player in his home state of New Jersey where he ascended to a top 25 USTA ranking in his age group in 2006.  He lists Gary Cassera and Colt Gaston (current head womens tennis coach at Missouri) as influences in his own tennis career. Crowns new tennis coach has stayed connected to the game, training numerous players at a variety of ages since ending his competitive playing career in 2008 after his second torn ACL.  Im extremely excited to begin recruiting and to revive Crowns tennis programs, noted Shourds.  We cant wait to join the other UMAC schools in competition next year and contribute to a strong conference lineup.  

Hired in the Spring of 2025, this will be Lamont Butler's first season on the Polars coaching staff, where he will serve as the Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers coach.  Coach Butler joins the Crown staff with a plethora of previous coaching experience and success. During his career, his coaching roles have included: Defensive Line Coach, El Cajon Valley High School (2 Years); Linebackers Coach, Helix High School (1 Year); Assistant Head Coach/ Defensive Coordinator, Horizon Christian Academy (1 Year); Running Backs Coach/ Recruiting Coordinator, Trinity International University (1 Year); Head Football Coach, Horizon Christian Academy (3 Years); Head Football Coach (3 years) and Defensive Coordinator (2 years), Trinity International University (5 Years); Defensive Coordinator, Concordia University Chicago (2 Years); and Defensive Line Coach, Norfolk State University (1 year). During Butler's playing career, he played linebacker at Grossmont College, as well as linebacker and defensive line at Sacramento State University. Sacramento State University is also where he earned his Bachelor's of Arts in Organizational Communications. He graduated high school from Horizon High School in San Diego California.   

Coach Leathers is entering his 6th year on the coaching staff for the Polars football program coaching the offensive line. During his time on the Polars coaching staff, he has spent time as the running backs coach.  Prior to his time as a coach, he competed for the Polars on the offensive line playing both guard and center as a three year captain. Leathers was named 1st Team All-UMAC in 2019 and 2nd Team All-UMAC is 2018. He was also invited to compete at the D1 FCS Senior Bowl in 2019. Matthew received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Crown in 2020. Matthew now resides in Norwood Young America, Minnesota with his wife Kailee Leathers and their daughter Scarlett.

Coach Yates uses the sport of football as an avenue to help young men become the best football players, students, and men of God that they can be, building a Christlike character and pursuit of excellence that positively influences their families, schools, and communities. Education: Master's from Crown College in 2024 Bachelor's in Business Administration in 2019 Experience: 2024 Assistant DL Coach - Crown College 2023 Assistant OL Coach - Crown College 2015-19, 21 Played OL - Crown College

The 2025 Polars welcome new running backs coach Tanner Eubanks to their staff. Prior to Crown, Coach Eubanks spent the Spring Semester on the staff at Greeneville University, where he played four years. During his playing years at Greenville, Tanner earned his Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. He is from Sesser, Illinois, and graduated High School from Sesser-Valier High School.