Former college football coach Dennis Franchione, who was head coach at five FBS schools over a lengthy and decorated career, has died, his family confirmed to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

He was 75 years old.

Franchione was most well-known for his coaching tenures at Alabama (2001-02) and Texas A&M (2003-07). He also coached at New Mexico (1992-97), TCU (1998-2000) and Texas State (1990-91 and 2011-15), the last of which he helped transition from FCS to FBS in the 2012 college football season.

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Over his more than 20 years as an FBS head coach, Franchione’s teams went 133-116.

Franchione had previously coached at NAIA Southwestern College in Kansas, Division II Pittsburg State in Kansas and at Southwest Texas State, which was an FCS school at the time before changing its name to Texas State and moving to the FBS ranks. He was the Bobcats' coach during that transition, helping pave the way for a program that is now in its first season in the Pac-12.

After guiding New Mexico to its first bowl berth in 36 years, he first made a name for himself nationally at TCU, where he took over a program that went 1-10 and led it to three bowls in three seasons. That run was capped off by a 10-1 regular season in 2000, the Horned Frogs' most wins in a season since 1938. That season, star running back and future Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.

That success earned him the head-coaching job at Alabama, which was coming off a 3-8 season. The Crimson Tide went 10-3 in Franchione's second season, but as the program was dealing with NCAA sanctions from violations committed by his predecessor, Mike DuBose, Franchione left for Texas A&M. He spent five seasons with the Aggies, going 32-28 in that time, before resigning after the Aggies beat No. 13 Texas in their regular-season finale in 2007.

Franchione had been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his kidney in 2016. He was again diagnosed with cancer in 2021, but was in full remission after treatment. His family told the Star-Telegram the cancer returned earlier this year and he was placed into hospice care earlier this month.

Here's what to know of the longtime coach:

Dennis Franchione coaching career

Franchione began his coaching career in 1973 as head coach at Miller High School in Missouri, before leaving for an assistant role at Mulvane High School in Kansas in 1975. He coached two more years of high school football at Peabody-Burns High School in Kansas in 1976-77.

The following year, Franchione began his long college football coaching career as a receivers coach at Kansas State from 1978-80; head coach at Southwestern College (1981-82); and offensive coordinator at Tennessee Tech (1983-84).

In 1985, Franchione took over at Pittsburg State, leading the Gorillas for five seasons from 1985-89. He then took over at Southwest Texas State from 1990-91 before taking over at New Mexico from 1992-97. Following six seasons with the Lobos, Franchione then left for TCU football, whom he coached for three seasons from 1998-2000.

Franchione leveraged his success with the Horned Frogs (three winning seasons, including a 10-1 mark in 2000) to replace DuBose at Alabama, which was mired with NCAA investigations at the time. Despite going 10-3 in his second season with the Crimson Tide in 2002, Franchione left the program to return to Texas, where he took over the Texas A&M program from 2003-07.

Though his Aggies tenure is perhaps most notable for a 77-0 loss to Oklahoma in 2003, Franchione did enjoy three winning seasons in College Station, including a 9-4 mark in 2006. He also won two straight games over Texas in 2006-07. He resigned immediately following his win over Texas in 2007.

Dennis Franchione coaching record

Including his time in the FBS, FCS, Division II and NAIA ranks, Franchione had a career record of 213-135-2. Here's a year-by-year look at how his teams fared:

  • Southwestern (1981-82): 14-4-2
  • Pittsburg State (1985-89): 53-6
  • Southwest Texas State (1990-91): 13-9
  • New Mexico (1992-97): 33-36
  • TCU (1998-2000): 25-10
  • Alabama (2001-02): 17-8
  • Texas A&M (2003-07): 32-28
  • Texas State (2011-15): 26-34
  • Overall: 213-135-2

How did Dennis Franchione die?

As noted by the Star-Telegram, Franchione was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his kidney in 2016. In 2021, Franchione received a diagnosis of a "more aggressive" cancer, but went into full remission after treatment. The Star-Telegram reported the cancer returned earlier this year, and he was moved to hospice in October.

TCU statement on Dennis Franchione

To see the school's full release, click here.

"TCU mourns alongside the Franchione family at the passing of 'Coach Fran. Our fortunes as a department would not be what they are today without the efforts of Coach Franchione, his staff, and players. Beyond his talent as a football coach, he was a beloved father, mentor, and friend to so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kim, and the entire Franchione family." - TCU AD Mike Buddie

"Our program's thoughts and prayers are with the Franchione family as well as all those whose lives he impacted. Coach was a true gentleman who loved his time at TCU and set the program on the path to all of the great success that has followed. College football is in a better place for having Dennis Franchione's influence on it, and today is a great loss to all who knew him." - TCU head coach Sonny Dykes

Dennis Franchione tributes

Dennis Franchione was a very good broadcast teammate.
Dennis was kind to me and my family and always wanted to find any way he could to help me.
I’ll always remember Coach Fran drawing up plays on napkins at dinner to help me learn more about the game. https://t.co/IM8AkMesAW

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) October 6, 2026

Sad news from the college football world. Former Texas State head coach Dennis Francione has passed away. Coach Fran led SWT in the early 90s and then ushered TXST football into D1 when he returned from 2011-15. He also coached at Bama, Texas A&M, TCU. A Bobcats coaching legend. pic.twitter.com/ptHZgWr1Zj

— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) October 6, 2026

Tough news hearing that Dennis Franchione has passed away. Coach Fran had a remarkable coaching career and impacted many lives.
Was very helpful and a friend during his time in Aggieland when I was still very young in this business.
Thoughts are with Kim and the family 🙏🏼

— Billy Liucci (@billyliucci) October 6, 2026

Gary Patterson rightfully gets a lot of credit for making TCU football a factor on the national stage.
But the turnaround started with Dennis Franchione, who died Tuesday at 75.@MacEngelProf on his legacy:https://t.co/IrbYyuWPrl

— Jim Barnes (@JimBarnesLV) October 6, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dennis Franchione dies. Former Alabama, Texas A&M and TCU football coach was 75

Source: Yahoo Sports