Chris Hamilton was named head men’s basketball coach at Franklin College in April 2022 and has quickly elevated the Grizzlies into one of the top programs in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
In the 2025–26 season, Hamilton led Franklin to a 16-11 overall record and 11-7 mark in HCAC play, securing the program’s first back-to-back 15+ win seasons since 2009. The Grizzlies ranked first in the conference in both turnover margin and steals per game, reflecting the program’s defensive identity, and were led by Cooper Matthews (first team All-HCAC) and Justin Harrington (honorable mention All-HCAC).
This momentum followed a historic 2024–25 season, in which Hamilton guided the Grizzlies to 22 wins, the program’s most since 1999, along with an HCAC Tournament championship and a 67-64 overtime victory over Denison in the NCAA Tournament — Franklin’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2000. That season also included 14 conference wins, the most in program history.
During his tenure, Hamilton has emphasized player development and competitive consistency, producing eight All-HCAC players across four seasons — tied for the most in the conference during that span — including multiple repeat honorees:
| Year |
All-HCAC Selections |
| 2022-23 |
Ryan Bostic, Carter Crowe, Lynn King |
| 2023-24 |
Braden Flanagan, Lynn King*, Jessie Morgan III |
| 2024-25 |
Lynn King*, Cooper Matthews, Jessie Morgan III, Cody Samples |
| 2025-26 |
Justin Harrington, Cooper Matthews** |
** First team All-HCAC
* Second team All-HCAC
Hamilton’s teams have built a clear identity centered on creating chaos with defensive disruption, relentless pressure and competitive discipline, consistently ranking among conference leaders in total defense, turnover margin, steals and 3-point field goal percentage.
Prior to Franklin, Hamilton spent four seasons at Nebraska Wesleyan University under two-time NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year Dale Wellman. During that time, the Prairie Wolves compiled a 69-21 record, winning two American Rivers Conference regular season and tournament championships, while advancing to the NCAA Tournament and leading the nation in offensive efficiency in 2019 and 2020.
Hamilton also coached at his alma mater, Randolph-Macon College (Virginia) under two-time National Coach of the Year Josh Merkel. During Hamilton's time on staff, the Yellow Jackets went 35-17, earning two ODAC regular season championships (one outright, one shared), with both teams ranking in the top 10 nationally in total defense.
He began his coaching career at Mount St. Mary's University (Maryland) as a graduate assistant under current Bryant University head coach Jamion Christian, gaining experience in Division I player development, scouting and program operations.
A former standout player at Randolph-Macon, Hamilton played under current University of New Hampshire head coach Nathan Davis, helping lead the Yellow Jackets to a 90-27 record, two ODAC regular season championships, two ODAC tournament championships, and NCAA Tournament appearances including the 2013 Sweet 16 and 2015 Elite Eight. He earned all-conference recognition during his playing career and finished among the program’s all-time leaders in 3-point shooting.
Hamilton earned his bachelor’s degree in business/economics from Randolph-Macon and later completed a master of science in sports management from Mount St. Mary’s.
“Coach Ham” has established a culture rooted in grit, grace and growth, reinforcing the belief that every day is a Great Day to be a Griz!
