The Official Athletics Site of the Fresno Pacific University Sunbirds

Decorated Sunbird thrower Jesse Franco joined the FPU Track & Field staff as Assistant Throws Coach ahead of the 2026 season.

Franco competed at FPU from 2021-2024 and excelled in the hammer throw at the national level. Franco is a two-time PacWest champion and holds the conference’s all-time mark of 60.6.  Additionally, his hammer distance of 60.85 has him atop FPU’s record books for longest throw in program history.  Franco’s record-breaking performances in 2023 and 2024 qualified him for the NCAA Division II National Championships, FPU’s only hammer thrower to ever qualify twice.  He was honored by Fresno Pacific Athletics with their highest honor - Sunbird of the Year - in 2024.

The Kerman native and Kerman High School graduate coaches hammer, shot put, and discus for the Sunbirds alongside Head Throws Coach, Tim Holmes Jr.  Franco’s focus as a coach will be to glorify God as the foundation of competition.

Franco holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Finance from Fresno Pacific University.  In addition to his coaching duties, Franco currently has embarked on a career in finance locally in Fresno.  He attends People’s Church, and enjoys rock climbing and weightlifting.