Franchino Elevated to Athletics Director at Saddleback College

The Saddleback College Athletics Department is proud to announce the promotion of Brett Franchino to the position of Athletics Director. Franchino has served as the department's Athletics Operations Manager for the past four years and has played a pivotal role in the transformation and growth of Saddleback Athletics.

As Athletics Director, Franchino will provide leadership for Saddleback's 22 intercollegiate athletic programs while continuing the department's commitment to competitive excellence, academic achievement, and an outstanding student-athlete experience.

The appointment comes as part of a college reorganization that expands the Division of Kinesiology & Athletics to include Community Education. The newly formed Division of Kinesiology, Athletics, and Community Education (KACE) reflects Saddleback College's commitment to providing innovative educational opportunities, strengthening community engagement, and supporting lifelong learning.

With the addition of Community Education, Dean Dan Clauss will oversee the expanded KACE Division, creating the need for a dedicated Athletics Director to provide day-to-day leadership of the college's intercollegiate athletics program. Franchino's promotion ensures the athletics department will continue its momentum while supporting the division's expanded mission.

Since joining Saddleback in 2022, Franchino has helped lead numerous initiatives that have elevated the student-athlete experience and enhanced the department's reputation throughout California. His leadership has been instrumental in launching the college's men's soccer and women's flag football programs, overseeing major facility improvement projects, expanding the department's branding efforts, introducing live streaming for home athletic events, and enhancing the overall game-day experience for fans and student-athletes.

In addition to his previous responsibilities, Franchino was active in various organizations outside of Saddleback.  Franchino became the Assistant to the Commissioner of the Orange Empire Conference, the baseball representative for the Orange Empire Conference and an executive committee member the for National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA). 

Franchino has also played a key role in Saddleback's ability to host several premier California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) championship events, including the Southern California Track & Field Championships and the 3C2A Soccer State Championships. During his tenure, the department has celebrated multiple state championships while continuing to invest in first-class facilities and the overall student-athlete experience.

"As our division continues to grow with the addition of Community Education, it was important to have a dedicated leader focused exclusively on athletics," Dean of Kinesiology, Athletics, and Community Education Dan Clauss said. "Brett has had a tremendous impact on our department since the day he arrived. He immediately established himself as an innovative leader with a passion for student-athlete success and a vision for elevating Saddleback Athletics. His work ethic, creativity, and ability to bring projects to completion have transformed many aspects of our athletics program. I have complete confidence that he is the right person to lead Saddleback Athletics into its next chapter."

Prior to joining Saddleback College, Franchino served as the Sports Information and Marketing Director at Cypress College for three years, where he gained extensive experience in athletic communications, marketing, event management, and sports information. Franchino graduated from the University of Oregon in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics. While at Oregon, he was an active member of the Warsaw Sports Business Club and interned with Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers as a Youth Camps Coordinator. He earned his Master of Sport Management degree from California State University, Long Beach in 2020. During graduate school, he also completed a Sports Information and Research internship with Global Sports & Entertainment, a talent booking and event management firm representing major media organizations including ESPN, FOX Sports, and SB Nation.

"I am so grateful for the opportunity to take the next step in my professional career at Saddleback College," Franchino said. "I want to thank Dan Clauss for his mentorship and belief in me throughout my time here, and Ms. Tram Vo-Kumamoto (Vice President of Instruction) for her vision and support in growing our department. This institution's commitment to its students, staff, and athletic programs has given me the platform to grow, and it means everything to continue that work here as Athletic Director. Our investment in facilities and technology sets us apart from other colleges, and I'm proud to serve at a place that truly honors the student experience."