A&M Denies Buyout Talks with Franchione

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A&M Denies Buyout Talks with Franchione

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Posted: 2:04 PM Nov 5, 2007
Last Updated: 10:16 PM Nov 5, 2007
Reporter: Steve Fullhart
Email Address: fullhart@kbtx.com

25 comments

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An official in the Texas A&M athletics department is denying reports that Texas A&M head football coach Dennis Franchione and the university are in talks about a buyout of the coach's contract.

Earlier Monday, CBSSports.com Senior Writer Dennis Dodd reported Franchione and A&M had agreed to a buyout and would not coach the Aggies past this season. Other media outlets are reporting on-going talks between the athletics department and Franchione.

However, Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations Alan Cannon tells News 3 Sports Director Darryl Bruffett that he has spoken with both Athletics Director Bill Byrne and Franchione, both of whom denied to Cannon the reports of buyout talks.

“There are several false rumors circulating regarding the Texas A&M football program," Cannon said in a statement. "Bill Byrne has repeatedly said he evaluates his programs at the end of each season and I have received no indication that he has changed his stance.

"Dennis Franchione is the head football coach at Texas A&M and is currently working on a game plan to face a Top 10 football team in the Missouri Tigers," Cannon continued.

Shortly after his initial report, Dodd said a source on the story had received "conflicting reports." As a result, Dodd's story later read that Franchione was "on the verge" of accepting a buyout rather than already having accepted it.

Another report, this one from Andre Ware of ESPN, has A&M in talks with Chuck Neinas Sports Services out of Boulder, Colorado. A&M, Ware reports, wants to speak with Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville, who coached one season at A&M as defensive coordinator.

A representative with Neinas Sports Services tells Bruffett the ESPN report is "pure speculation."

Saturday, the Aggies fell to Oklahoma in Norman by a 42-14 final. On the season, the Aggies are 6-4 with two games remaining, one at Missouri, the other at home against Texas. With six wins, the team is bowl eligible.

Coming into this season, Franchione held a 25-23 record as A&M's head coach, which is his seventh college football head coaching stint. He has coached in a pair of bowl games as A&M's head coach, both losses.

Overall, Franchione's record as a head coach is 180-96-2 in 24 seasons prior to the on-going campaign.

Previous head coaching stops for Franchione were Alabama, TCU, New Mexico, Southwest Texas State, Pittsburg State (Kansas), and Southwestern College (Kansas).

Franchione came under fire earlier this season after it was revealed he was providing inside information via a newsletter to a select few who had paid $1,200.

The university publicly admonished Franchione, ordered him to shut down his website, CoachFran.com, and said it would report the findings of its investigation to the NCAA.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: D on Nov 7, 2007 at 01:18 PM
Winning isnt everything. Integrity is. Fran has none. We need a coach who can also be a positive role model, one who knows right from wrong and is strong enough to talk the talk and walk the walk. Winning is great but let's also be honest. Making a profit off of college students is WRONG!!!

Posted by: Carl Location: College Station on Nov 7, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Fran is noted for not being responsible. He left Alabama without notification and we should do the same to him. He consistantly uses poor judgement on and off the field, ie, website & poor coaching.

Posted by: Heather Location: College Station on Nov 6, 2007 at 06:01 PM
I think that A&M should keep Coach Fran. It seems like some of you think that if we get a new coach it will change everything but, it won't.Probably all of the players think of Coach Fran as a second father. Do you really want to take a father figure away from the players? The only thing you talk about is how much better it would be with him gone. You haven't thought about how the players and the other coaches would feel. They have to go through all this crap too. They haven't won all of their games but, they are in my view one of the best teams in the Big 12 south. Yes, he has been given chance after chance but, God gives us chances and chances everytime we mess up so, I think we should do the same for Coach Fran and the football team.

Posted by: DJ Location: Bryan on Nov 6, 2007 at 04:52 PM
I'm thinking that the AD (Dollar Bill)that made this "frantastic" hire needs to hit the road as well. Just ask the folks at Nebraska. They thought they were well rid of his type. Maybe some school out there is willing to make a package deal.

Posted by: Confused Location: Bryan on Nov 6, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Why would anyone have to be bought out when they have a breech of contract sign hanging around their neck?

Posted by: Deserve Location: Better on Nov 6, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Yes, he has to be gone. I hope this time TAMU chooses an exciting coach who wants to get fired up to win. It would also be a plus if we don't put the whole game on the shoulders of our quarterback's ability to run the ball because we have no other viable plays. We have plenty of new practice areas on Welborn Street and I wonder what in the world goes on in there.. just two plays? Aggie football should be more exciting than the new electronic signs all over the stadium. I have not lost hope.. Please bring back Jackie Sherrill!!!

Posted by: Aggie Heart Location: College Station on Nov 6, 2007 at 08:19 AM
Coach Fran has never embraced the A&M traditions, school, players or students. A&M needs a coach that is passionate about football and the school he coaches.

Posted by: LM Location: Dallas on Nov 6, 2007 at 07:50 AM
As an Alabama graduate, I was mad when he left us. Now, I'm happy he didn't do to us what he did to A&M. I feel sorry for the Aggies. He's ruined their reputation. They should have fired him immediately! Roll Tide Coach Fran!

Posted by: Disappointed, sick, and tired. Location: CS on Nov 5, 2007 at 05:45 PM
Buy him out?? He should pay us BACK!! Million$ for nothing but disappointment while he lives the good life, on our school dollars - unreal! What better indicator of 'where' A&M is headed, in my opinion. He lives in Lala Land like so many other ungrateful, confused, Richie-riches! The man plays a 'game' for a living, and doesn't have the integrity to remain an 'Aggie.' Our reputation proceeds us, put it back where it belongs - and get rid of this mediocre 'legend.' Aggies deserve better than this uppity LOSING, shut it down, give him to Austin. I speak for many, and we're disappointed, sick, and tired.

Posted by: Brian Location: College Station on Nov 5, 2007 at 05:29 PM
Unlike how curtis feels, this is not an issue of pride or aggie spirit. Fran does not meet the STANDARD of aggie football. I'm sure he's a great guy, but he's been given chance after chance. He's done, and well all know that. If you want to see A&M football be a force to deal with, then I guess I'll be your little rat fleeing from the sinking ship. Is it so wrong to want better from your team and community?

Posted by: curtis Location: college station on Nov 5, 2007 at 04:13 PM
For all those that want Franchione, yall have no 12th man soul and spirit and no different than gillespie. The 12th man stands up for our own especially others attack one of us. I will carry the colors for Franchione with "AGGIE" PRIDE. I am ashamed of the RATS, who say they are AGGIES, not standing for our own but rather fleeing the sinking ship. Why don't yall help bail and get her back on course.

Posted by: Paul Location: Navasota on Nov 5, 2007 at 04:11 PM
When he starts looking for a moving service, tell him to look here first. I will pack him up free of charge!

Posted by: David S Location: Aggieland on Nov 5, 2007 at 03:54 PM
Of course they are denying it. Just like when at coach says I have not talked to anyone about that job or whatever and really it was their LAWYER who did the talking. Plausible deniability!

Posted by: Semour Butts Location: College Station on Nov 5, 2007 at 03:46 PM
Franchione is a good man. I think we should put a statue of him on campus.

Posted by: Rick Location: Keller, Texas on Nov 5, 2007 at 03:43 PM
History always repeats itself... http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/2002/12/05/fran_reax_ap/

Posted by: Sherm Location: Dallas on Nov 5, 2007 at 03:30 PM
Fran and buyout.....To quote Lincoln, " The hen is the wisest of the animal creation, she knows not to cackle until after the egg is laid " Gig'em

Posted by: b Location: CS on Nov 5, 2007 at 03:24 PM
He should have been out the door when the newletter racket came to light. TAMU is a school of integrity. Coach Fran doesn't seem to have integrity, profiting off his insider knowledge is just wrong. Where did the $1200. per subscription go, I bet not to the school.

Posted by: joel Location: bryan on Nov 5, 2007 at 03:16 PM
buy him out. 4 aggies sake.

Posted by: Michael Location: Bryan on Nov 5, 2007 at 03:16 PM
There definitely *are* talks, no matter what KBTX says. We will have a new head coach after t 1 but before bowl season. Mark it down. Its already a done deal! Its over...it doesn't mean anything that some A&M "official" is denying it.

Posted by: Kathy Location: College Station on Nov 5, 2007 at 03:11 PM
coach with lots of excuses but never saying that we coached badly, etc. The boys deserve a football program in which they feel proud to belong and with Fran this will never happen.

Posted by: Mack Brown Location: Austin, TX on Nov 5, 2007 at 03:10 PM
Dennis Franchione is a mighty good coach and I hope the aggies keep him!

Posted by: Bill Location: Fort Worth on Nov 5, 2007 at 03:10 PM
When Nick Saban got to Alabama, he said he was amazed at how high the expectations were with little or no history to support those expectations. This was a program that had won a MNC under Gene Stallings. What will the new coach say about the expectations at A&M, again with little or no historical basis for such high a bar?

Posted by: Dan Location: Houston on Nov 5, 2007 at 03:10 PM
What's sad is that these two previous comments are defending fran. He's gone and needed to be gone after 2005.

Posted by: Al Location: Anderson, Texas on Nov 5, 2007 at 02:28 PM
I know what Coach Fran did with the newsletter wasn't right. However, most of the Aggie players are on scholarship. They are getting a free financial ride at Texas A&M. The last few games their effort has been far less than players at the Division 1 level. Quit feeling sorry yourselves and start playing with class and much more effort. The Aggie fans deserve it and remember, life outside of Texas A&M is not always fair.

Posted by: Jean Location: College Station on Nov 5, 2007 at 02:26 PM
I agree that he has made some mistakes in judgment, but isn't it sad when schools and their fans think that firing the coach will fix everything. He has done some very good things for A&M. I appreciate his behavior on the sideline. He does not rant and rave at players or referees. He is gracious when he wins or loses. We certainly do not know if we will have any improvement from the new coach. In my opinion we have had some very bad coaches before. The money alumni certainly do exert their influence.

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