CLINTON, S.C. – Presbyterian College Blue Hose Director of Athletics Dee Nichols has announced the hiring of Fran Ricks as the Interim Head Coach of Presbyterian's cross country programs.

"Fran's experience and ability to develop student-athletes make her a great fit for PC," Nichols said. "We're excited for her to lead our cross country programs and continue building on our tradition of excellence."
 
Before coming to PC, Ricks served as the head track and cross country coach at Columbia, South Carolina's Ben Lippen School from 2022 to 2024. She helped guide Ben Lippen to runner-up finishes in the state in girls' track and boys' and girls' cross country. She coached several players who captured individual state championships in her time at Ben Lippen.

Before Ben Lippen, she was the head cross country coach at Chapin High School in South Carolina from 2019 to 2021. From 2016 to 2021, she was also the assistant track coach at Chapin. During her time at Chapin, she also coached a number of track and cross country athletes who earned All-State and All-Region honors.
In her running career, Ricks was a member of Wofford's cross country team for one year after earning All-State accolades in cross country and track at Sumter High School in South Carolina. She has also run in numerous marathons.
 
The Sumter, South Carolina native graduated with a bachelor's degree from Columbia International University in 1999. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Master's degree in Social Work in 2002 and a Master's degree in Human Resources Business Management in 2017.
 
Ricks and her husband, Gabriel, have been married for 28 years. They are parents of four children: Davis, Dobson, Lucy, and Thomas.
 
"I am honored to be coaching these men and women runners," Ricks said. "In my short time here, I have already been so impressed by their hard work and dedication."