Sports analyst, Leighton Levy says legendary track and field coach Stephen Francis was able to unlock talent across multiple disciplines in track and field.

Francis coached athletes who excelled in the 100 metres, 200 metres, the 400 metres, the sprint hurdles and also in the long jump.

And veteran track and field coach, Michael Carr says Francis had a brilliant mind.

Michael Carr, veteran track and field coach.

They were both speaking on Nationwide This Morning on Monday.

In the meantime, the University of Technology Jamaica, UTech, is mourning the passing of the legendary athletics coach.

The university’s Papine campus has been the home of the MVP Track and Field Club for almost twenty years since Francis co-founded it with Bruce James.

In a tribute late Sunday, the UTech President Dr. Kevin Brown said Francis’ legacy would continue to inspire generations.

Dr. Kevin Brown, President of the University of Technology, Jamaica.

UTech has expressed condolences to coach Francis’ family, the entire MVP club and all who are mourning his passing.

For her part, the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, says the Caribbean has lost a man whose work gave the region reason to stand taller.

In a social media post on X on Sunday, Mottley said Stephen Francis helped turn talent into discipline, promise into excellence and Caribbean speed into a language the world could not ignore.

She said Barbados also benefitted from Francis’ work through their own athlete, Sada Williams.

According to Mottley, Williams’ journey at the MVP Track Club helped carry Williams to historic heights for the country.

Mottley noted that for many boys and girls across the Caribbean, the work of Stephen Francis proved that small islands can still shake the world.

She has extended condolences to Francis’ family and friends.

And in a statement, the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association described Francis’ passing as a monumental loss to Jamaica and the global athletics community.

The JAAA hailed Francis as a visionary whose leadership transformed Jamaican track and field through the MVP Track Club, producing Olympic and World Championship stars including Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Asafa Powell, Brigitte Foster-Hylton and Melaine Walker.

The association said his legacy extends far beyond medals, remembering him as a mentor who inspired generations to pursue excellence.

Frazser-Pryce said Jamaica has lost more than just one of its greatest athletics coaches. We have lost a visionary, a mentor and a man whose influence transcended the track.

She said the sudden passing of Francis is a loss that is difficult to put into words.

Meanwhile, President of the Jamaica Olympic Association, Christopher Samuda, described Francis as “a study in complexity”.

And, Wolmer’s Trust Chairman, Milton Samuda, paid tribute to the distinguished alumnus, recalling his academic brilliance and describing him as arguably the greatest sprint coach in the history of the sport.

He said Francis’ commitment to excellence leaves a legacy that will inspire athletes and coaches for generations to come.