Alton "Red" Franklin

Sport: Football

Induction Year: 2004

Induction Year: 2004

When he retired in January 2002, Alton “Red” Franklin capped a career of 35 seasons as head coach at Haynesville High School including 11 state championships, 4 state runner-up finishes, 366 wins (366-76-8), a career-ending run of 15 consecutive district titles and 33 straight winning seasons. The Golden Tornado reached the state playoffs in 31 of his 35 seasons and won 27 district crowns. He was district coach of the year 23 times, and state coach of the year six times. Twice (1985, 1993), Franklin was named the National High School Athletic Association’s Region 5 coach of the year, making him a finalist for national prep coach of the year honors. In seven consecutive seasons from 1990-96, Haynesville’s won-loss record was a mind-boggling 96-4. Among his wins in the 1990s were victories at national powerhouses Evangel and West Monroe. Franklin was inducted in the Louisiana High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1991.