Franklin basketball coach Neely announced his retirement after an 11-year run that culminated in the program’s first D1 basketball title last season. Neely inherited a strong program and then reshaped its identity, turning the Panthers into a perennial championship contender. Over his tenure, Neely compiled a 191–48 record, led Franklin to four final appearances (2014, 2018, 2023, 2025), and secured the program’s first D1 crown last year.
Neely’s time at Franklin was as much cultural as it was competitive: he established a renewed identity that translated to sustained success on the court while continuing the tradition that his predecessor, Coach O’Connor, had built. Finishing his career with a state title allows Neely to step away with the program at its peak and with a clear legacy of excellence.
Now the Panthers will search for a successor capable of maintaining that standard and continuing the winning legacy. Neely leaves behind a program accustomed to deep runs and championship contention, and his departure marks the end of a transformative era for Franklin basketball.
