Northwest Foundation Announces Scholarship in Memory of Northwest Football Coach Bobby Ray Franklin
Senatobia, MS (06/02/2026) — The Northwest Mississippi Community College Foundation is proud to announce that The Coach Bobby Ray Franklin Memorial Endowed Scholarship has been established by Northwest Football Alumnus Michael Joe Cannon of Oxford.
Coach Franklin was a decorated coach with numerous achievements, including leading the Northwest Ranger Football team to the NJCAA National Championship in 1982 and 1992. He came to Northwest after his own football career, which included playing quarterback for Ole Miss and several years as a professional defensive back for the Cleveland Browns. Coach Franklin was chosen for the University of Mississippi Athletic Hall of Fame, a Phi Delta Theta Fraternity's All-Century Pro Football Team in 1999, and the MACJC Sports Hall of Fame in April 2007, among many other accolades. Most recently, he was inducted posthumously into the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
His career is not only decorated with awards, but with the success of the boys he built into men on and off the field. Coach Franklin's dedication and commitment to helping students win both academically and athletically were stupendous, according to Cannon.
"Coach Franklin was a players' coach, always willing to listen and help players," said Cannon. "He believed in giving a guy a second chance, and because of that, so many guys went on to have a successful career, get a college education, and some played professionally. He had a desire and commitment to winning, and always strived to make sure our team had the best opportunity to win!"
Cannon also had the privilege of coaching under Coach Franklin when he returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach. Coach Franklin imparted many lessons that he has taken with him, one of which stands out: never give up. Coach Franklin taught Cannon that if you wanted a chance to win, you must go further than the extra mile. For Coach Franklin, that looked like driving all night after a game to visit and recruit players. Coach Franklin emphasized to him that players win games, not coaches. Throughout life, Cannon has reflected on the lifelong lesson he learned from Coach Franklin, which is to be successful in any profession, you must surround yourself with good people.
With this scholarship, it continues the spirit of self-improvement that Coach Franklin fought for in his years of coaching and supporting students. Cannon did not want his legacy to ever be forgotten. This scholarship will go to Mississippi students who reside in one of the eleven counties Northwest serves and maintain a 2.0 GPA.
Northwest Mississippi Community College
Andrew Dale, Associate Vice President of Community Relations, adale@northwestms.eduShare this Story
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