Former Alabama, TCU football coach dies at 75

Dennis Franchione, the veteran college football coach who revived struggling programs at TCU and New Mexico and later coached Alabama and Texas A&M, died Tuesday, Oct. 6. He was 75.

Franchione’s family confirmed his death to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He had been battling cancer since 2016. The disease returned in 2021 and again this year, and he entered hospice care in Austin earlier this month.

Known as “Coach Fran,” Franchione built a reputation as a turnaround specialist during a coaching career that spanned four decades. He began coaching at the high school level before becoming a head coach at Southwestern College in Kansas and Pittsburg State, where he twice was named NAIA national coach of the year.

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He moved to Southwest Texas State, now Texas State, then New Mexico, where he helped take the Lobos to their first bowl game in 36 years. His success led him to TCU in 1998, where he inherited a team coming off a 1-10 season.

Texas State Bobcats head coach Dennis Franchione coaches against the Houston Cougars in the third quarter at Robertson Stadium. Texas State defeated Houston 30-13. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Franchione quickly changed the Horned Frogs’ fortunes, taking them to a 7-5 record and a Sun Bowl victory over the USC Trojans in his first season. TCU went 8-4 the following year and 10-1 in 2000, establishing the foundation for the program’s resurgence.

He left for Alabama in 2001 and went 17-8 in two seasons. His 2002 Crimson Tide finished 10-3 and ranked among the nation’s best but were barred from postseason play because of NCAA sanctions stemming from violations that predated his arrival.

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Franchione then took over at Texas A&M, where he went 32-28 in five seasons. His tenure ended after the 2007 season, when he resigned following a 38-30 victory over rival Texas. He later returned to Texas State, coaching from 2011-15 before retiring.

Franchione finished with a 213-135-2 career record, nine conference championships and nine bowl appearances. He was a candidate for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame.

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