Coach Franklin Phillip Kerns

Sadden to hear the loss of Coach Kerns. I always thought he was one of the greatest coaches at GSU. Can remember having him for a PE class in the late 80's.Had a lot of fun!

I am saddened to hear of the loss of a great basketball Coach. I am a 1968 disabled Republic of Vietnam combat veteran. I am a '74 graduate of Georgia Southern. I never played college sports. I knew nothing about college basketball. It seems like a long time ago when I called the Coach about an idea for Georgia Southern basketball, Coach Kerns went out of his way to talk to me. He taught me about the game of basketball. A very patient teacher. Wow, it changed my life for appreciating the game. Coach Kerns talked to me about Georgia Southern being as good as the University of Cincinnati's basketball team or the Temple Owls. Unfortunately, we lost touch with each other. I never knew he was a Marine. He never knew that I had been in the Armed Forces. Thank you Coach for being in the U.S. Marine Corps. 'Semper Fidelis; Always Faithful' "Good Night Chesty. Wherever You Are!" God Bless this Marine's Family. JMJ

Coach Kerns will be missed greatly by many of us in basketball. I followed Coach at Spring Hill College in Mobile, then to Georgia Southern then now in China. He traveled with our staff and team to away games at GSU and the great many stories he would share with us were very entertaining. I knew about Coach Kerns from very early on while I was just coming up in the business and one thing we all knew, he was brilliant when it came to the game. Coach Price and I would always say, that coach Kerns forgot more basketball than most coaches ever knew.

I was shocked, surprised,and most of all saddened to hear that Coach K (we always called him coach K),had passed away. My two favorite things to do at Hanner was to watch my Son(Ben Drayton),step on the court and represent the Eagles and talk with Coach K! When ever he was in the stands,at half time I would go speak with him.He would laugh at me about being nervous and ask about Ben and what his plans were.When I didn't make it to a game, I loved hearing Coach call the game on the radio! He always had great things to say about Ben! My sons freshman year, I took a picture with Coach and I'm so grateful that I still have it! My family and I are praying that God will comfort this family during this sad time.God Bless You Coach Kerns, Rest In Paradise. God needed a really smart Coach in Heaven and who better than you.

Coach Kerns taught me alot about basketball and life. You will be missed coach

Georgia Southern University deeply mourns the loss of our great basketball coach and dedicated Eagle. Please know that Eagle Nation has you in our thoughts and prayers.

I played for Coach for 1 year in highschool 1970-1971. Our first meeting he handed out our preseason conditioning program. The heading was The University of Kentucky conditioning program. We should have know what we were getting into, this was the easiest part of the season. We went 25 and 5 and our tallest player was 6'1", what a coach. Coach will be missed

RIP coach. I have many fond memories of Frank Kerns and the Georgia Southern Eagles of the '80s. From our first conversation, I knew coach Kerns cared deeply about the Georgia Southern basketball players and program. I greatly respect his knowledge and passion for the game. GSU was truly fortunate to have Coach Kerns, and I feel privileged to have known him.

Coach Kerns taught me all about mental toughness and pushed me so that I could get the most out of my abilities. He was truly preparing me for the next level. R.I.P Coach

Frank Kerns was a brilliant coach, a caring person and a true friend. I called him "Superman" for years because he always seemed bigger than life. I was always amazed at the time and effort he put into watching game tapes, scouting, researching, and studying every aspect of the game. I truly hope there are basketball courts made of gold in heaven or Frank Kerns is not going to be happy.He'll be missed by many.

Coach Kerns is the coach that brought the best out of me and made me the player that I became & the coach that I am today. I use many of his techniques & wonderful phrases with players that I work with & coach today. Thanks for the many memories and victories Frank!! Rest in Peace.

Coach Kerns was the best X's and O's Coach I ever had. He taught me a lot about basketball. Thanks Coach.

Thanks so much for your patience with the "new guy" back in 1988. People always talked about your incredible basketball mind as a strategist, but your kindness and compassion will always be a cherished memory for me. Am blessed you were a part of my life during those early years.

Thanks for great basketball while you were coaching at GSU. You recruited terrific players and Hanner was an exciting place to be during your tenure as the Coach. Your "color commentary" during the radio broadcasts in recent years will be greatly missed. God bless! We'll miss you Coach.

RIP Coach. I'm proud to have known you. Unfortunately, Jake will ref your first game in heaven.

May "Coach" Kerns Find Peace and Happiness on His New Journey...
And May He Find The Promise of New Life to be Wonderful
And True......

So sorry to hear the news of Coach Kerns passing. Prayers for Coach and his surviving family and friends. I will always remember him fondly from my time working with his teams at Georgia Southern.