Former college football coach Dennis Franchione has passed away at the age of 75, his family announced on Tuesday.
Franchione, whose distinguished career included head coaching roles at Texas A&M, Alabama, and TCU, was initially diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and faced a second diagnosis in 2021. Although the illness had previously gone into remission, family friends shared that it returned earlier this year, leading him to enter hospice care. Texas Christian University (TCU) shared the news of his passing, which was subsequently confirmed by family members to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Family friends said the cancer returned earlier this year, which forced Franchione to go into hospice, per the Star-Telegram.
“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,” current TCU coach Sonny Dykes said in a statement. “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.”
A native of Kansas, Franchione began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at Kansas State in 1978. He secured his first head coaching position at Southwestern in 1981, followed by a tenure at Pittsburg State—his alma mater—and Southwest Texas State before taking the helm at the University of New Mexico.
At New Mexico, he guided the team to five winning seasons before joining the Horned Frogs for three years, a period highlighted by victories in both the Sun Bowl and the Mobile Alabama Bowl.
Franchione then spent two seasons leading Alabama, compiling a combined record of 25-17, before taking the head coaching position at Texas A&M for five seasons and later Texas State for four. He retired from coaching in 2015, concluding a 30-year head coaching career in which he led nine teams to conference championships and bowl games.
He finished his career with an overall record of 213-135-2.
“Remembering Coach Dennis Franchione and the memories he gave Alabama Football. Rest in peace, Coach Fran. Forever part of the Crimson Tide story,” Alabama Football said in a statement on X.
Franchione truly made his mark during his tenure at TCU, taking over a program that struggled to a 1-10 record in 1997 and had not won a bowl game since 1957. In his very first season, he led the Horned Frogs to a stunning 28-19 upset over USC in the Sun Bowl.
His TCU squads featured future NFL Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson, who led the nation in rushing in both 1999 and 2000.
“Our fortunes as a department would not be what they are today without the efforts of Coach Franchione, his staff, and players,” TCU athletic director Mike Buddie said Tuesday. “Beyond his talent as a football coach, he was a beloved father, mentor, and friend to so many.”
Franchione faced some challenges during his time at Texas A&M in 2007, following reports that his personal assistant shared inside information with boosters. Although Aggies athletic director Bill Byrne cleared him of any wrongdoing, Franchione ultimately resigned and accepted a buyout, departing with a 32-29 record at the university.
He took a three-year hiatus from coaching, exploring opportunities in broadcasting, before returning to lead Texas State in 2011, a program where he had previously coached in 1990 and 1991.
