SMSU Athletics

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Brian Frana is in his fourth season as run-game coordinator and offensive line coach at SMSU in 2017.
 
Frana has helped oversee an offensive line that has helped pave the way for some of the top offensive seasons in team history.

In 2016, SMSU freshman running back Max Simmons was named the NSIC Offensive Newcomer of the Year, rushing for 18 touchdowns, which led all of NCAA football. Senior offensive tackle Grant Greenfield was named first team All-NSIC and was a third team all-region honoree.

The SMSU offensive line had one its best seasons in program history in 2015. The Mustangs led Division II in first downs during the regular season, while ranking 12th in the country in total offense with a conference-leading 485.5 yards per game. SMSU featured the league’s leading rusher in Davontay Stevens and finished averaging 33 points per game.
 
Frana had three offensive linemen earn All-NSIC honors, including Greenfield, who was also a second team all-region honoree.
 
During his first season at SMSU in 2014, Frana mentored an offensive line, that despite featuring five new starters, helped the SMSU offense average 400 yards and 27 points per game.
 
Frana came to SMSU after spending five seasons as offensive coordinator at Upper Iowa University. The UIU offense set 26 offensive records during his tenure and helped the program record its first-ever winning season at the NCAA Division II level in 2013. The UIU offense averaged more than 460 yards per game his final two seasons, while in 2011 he coached the NSIC Offensive and Newcomer of the Year.
 
Before UIU, Frana spent two seasons (2007-08) as co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Lindenwood University (Mo.), helping the program to 22 victories in two seasons. The Lions averaged more than 40 points and 170 yards rushing per game during his two seasons.
 
Frana began his coaching career as an offensive assistant at Waldorf College (Iowa) in 2003, helping the team transition from junior college to the NAIA level. He then moved to St. Cloud State as the offensive line and tight ends coach for two seasons (2005-06).
 
Frana was a two-time all-region honoree as an offensive lineman at Waldorf College, before transferring to Eastern Illinois University where he was a two-year starter. He earned his bachelor’s degree in speech communication from Eastern Illinois in 2002 and his master’s degree in sports management from St. Cloud State in 2007.
 
Brian and his wife, Jennifer, have a son, Kael, and a daughter, Taylor and live in Marshall.