Franqua Bedell was ready to take the next step.
After Vic Shaefer replaced Sharon Fanning-Otis as women’s basketball coach at Mississippi State University, Bedell applied for and had several interviews for a number of coaching vacancies throughout the nation.
Unfortunately, Bedell didn’t get a chance to become a head coach again, so prepared to take the next step in his career with or without basketball.
Just when the opportunities appeared to run out, the whirlwind started again, and just as quickly as Bedell thought he might have to switch careers, he learned about an opening for an assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth University.
New VCU coach Marlene Stollings, a former assistant coach to Renee Ladner at the University of Mississippi, did her research and liked what she learned about Bedell. Last week, Bedell officially was announced as the newest member of Stollings’ staff.
“One thing that really impressed me with coach Stollings is when she said she was going to do something, she did it,” Bedell said. “She just stood out amongst everybody, and when she gave me the opportunity I jumped on board. It was an honor for me to have that opportunity, and it was a blessing.”
Bedell, whose nickname is “Coach Q”, was a member of Fanning-Otis’ staff since June 2008. He worked as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at MSU and played a key role in helping the program advance to its first Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament in 2010.
“I am very proud of the progress and growth coach Q has made in the last four years,” said Fanning-Otis, who retired as coach after the 2011-12 season. “I have known Marlene a long time and I think it will be a good relationship. Coach Q can recruit anybody anywhere. He doesn’t know a stranger. He will be able to go into any home and sell Marlene and the program at VCU.
“I think he knows all aspects of the game, and I think he is a good teacher, a good motivator, and really, really cares about the student-athlete. I felt like he was very loyal and hard working and set goals and was organized. I anticipate he will do a good job for her, and I am excited for her to have that opportunity to work with him as well.”
Bedell was on the VCU campus Monday to take part in a celebration for VCU’s moved from the Colonial Athletic Conference into the Atlantic-10. He said part of Stollings’ vision is to help VCU build its profile and program so it can help the A-10 erase the perception that its members are “mid-major” programs. He feels his experience as a coach at Hardin-Simmons University, Southeast Missouri State University, and at Southeastern Illinois College, where he helped groom former MSU standouts Rima Kalonda, Armelie Lumanu, and Chanel Mokango, will allow him to make a seamless transition from the SEC to the A-10.
Bedell also worked as athletic director and fitness director at SIC.
“I am extremely excited about bringing coach Q to our program,” Stollings said last month in a statement. “He is a proven recruiter who is known for attracting top talent throughout the country. Most recently, he signed back-to-back top-50 recruiting classes in the highly regarded SEC. Coach Q exudes a tireless work ethic, passion, and enthusiasm that is contagious. His skills and personality will be key assets in recruiting, developing our young Rams, and being a positive force for VCU. He is a first-rate addition to our program.”
In addition to Bedell’s new position, former MSU associate women’s basketball coach Greg Franklin is new women’s basketball coach at Chipola College (Fla.). He was named the new coach in May.
Fanning-Otis said Bedell’s primarily responsibility at MSU was the guards and that he worked in a number of roles, including handling individual workouts, preparing scouting reports, working team camps, and recruiting. She said he also was a strong asset off the court in community service efforts.
Bedell said he was surprised things fell into place so quickly after not landing another job earlier in the offseason. He said he already had started training several basketball players in his hometown of Fort Smith, Ark., and that he didn’t know how things would turn out. Now, though, Bedell is ready to spend most of this month recruiting and selling VCU.
“I am going to do my best and try to make this first class and something special,” Bedell said. “It was a great experience and a great journey. I am looking forward to it.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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