Robert Emile Francis (born December 5, 1958) is a Canadian-born American former professional ice hockey player and coach. He was the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL) from June 1999 to February 2004. In 2002 Francis became the first Coyotes' coach to win the Jack Adams Award. He also played 14 games in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings during the 1982–83 season, though most of his career was spent in the minor leagues.He is the son of former NHL general manager and coach Emile Francis.