ODESSA (July 16, 2020) – Odessa College announced today that Franqua (pronounced Francois) Bedell, former assistant women's basketball coach at Missouri State University, has accepted the position as the new Odessa College head women's basketball coach.

OC Athletic Director Wayne Baker stated that "Coach Q, as he is known to his players and the coaching community, wanted to coach for an elite NJCAA college, and Odessa College is definitely that. Bedell understands OC's mission to be the best in athletics and academics. In 2018 under his leadership as head coach of the Tallahassee Community College women's basketball team, his players won the NJCAA national championship. Coach Q totally understands what it takes to make it to the top of the competition and to be the best."

After accepting the position, a smiling and enthusiastic Coach Q said, "I'm very excited to be a part of the OC family, their tradition, and the program's history.  I'm also excited about Dr. Williams and his leadership, and working with Athletic Director Wayne Baker. I know what they expect and I have the opportunity to do something very special –– which is moving this program one step closer to a national championship and building elite women athletes.

Prior to coaching at Missouri State, Bedell served as head women's basketball coach for six years at Tallahassee CC. In addition to winning the 2018 NJCAA National Championship, he led his team to a 2017 NJCAA national tournament appearance, had 25 wins over ranked opponents, and finished with a 124-62 overall record. Coach Q was also named 2018 NJCAA Tournament Coach of the Year and 2018 Spalding National Coach of the year. 

Bedell has nine years of experience as an assistant coach at the university level, including three seasons at Southeast Missouri State University, four seasons at Mississippi State University (2008-2012), one season at Virginia Commonwealth University (2012-2013), and one season at Missouri State University (2019-2020).

He has a bachelor's degree in Special Education and Teaching from the University of the Ozarks, a Master's Degree in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management from Hardin-Simmons University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Business Administration, Strategic Leadership from Liberty University.

Coach Bedell is married to his wife, Crystal, and they have a 16-month old son, Amir.