Drayton Resigns Post At Franklin -- His Basketball Teams Won Two State Titles

Ron Drayton, who coached Franklin High School's boys basketball teams to two state championships and seven state tournament appearances in eight years at the school, has resigned.

Franklin won back-to-back Class AA state titles in 1994-95. The Earthquake finished fifth and eighth in the past two state tournaments and had a 22-9 record this past season.

Drayton said he got along well with Franklin Principal Tom Bailey but indicated that difficulty with another administrator was a factor in his decision. He said he is interested in coaching at another school.

"I'm not through coaching if the right opportunity comes along," he said.

He said his decision to leave Franklin, his alma mater, was difficult and "has nothing to do with (dissatisfaction with) my players or the challenge of dealing with the '90s player."

Drayton is self-employed and runs a business that helps students with SAT preparations, math enrichment and other academic skills.

Drayton's wife, Il-yong, died of cancer in the summer of 1997. The couple's son, Josh, 5, has been a fixture on or near the Franklin bench the past two seasons.

Drayton said he was proud that his program at Franklin had stressed academics, discipline and character as well as winning

basketball.