Dennis Franchione, Former TCU Coach, Dies at 75

Dennis Franchione, a prominent college football coach who led programs at TCU, Alabama and Texas A&M, died Tuesday in Austin, Texas. He was 75.

Franchione’s family announced his death after a decade-long battle with cancer. He was initially diagnosed with a cancerous kidney tumor in 2016 and later faced a more serious diagnosis in 2021. His cancer returned earlier this year, and he moved to hospice care in October.

TCU athletic director Mike Buddie praised Franchione's impact. "Our fortunes as a department would not be what they are today without the efforts of Coach Franchione, his staff, and players," Buddie said. "Beyond his talent as a football coach, he was a beloved father, mentor, and friend to so many." Buddie added that the university mourns with Franchione’s wife, Kim, and their family.

Franchione guided nine teams to conference championships and bowl games during his 40-year coaching career. He began as an assistant at Kansas State in 1978. He compiled an overall head coaching record of 213-135-2 over 30 seasons, including a 127-110 record in 20 seasons at the Division I level.

At TCU, Franchione transformed a 1-10 team into a 7-5 squad that won the 1998 Sun Bowl against USC, the program’s first bowl victory since 1956. After two seasons at Alabama, where he achieved a 10-3 record, he moved to Texas A&M in 2003. He finished his coaching career at A&M with a 32-29 record.

Notable players coached by Franchione include Pro Football Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Urlacher.