Dennis Franchione, former TCU Coach, Dies at 75

Dennis Franchione, who coached college football at TCU, Alabama and Texas A&M, died Tuesday in Austin, Texas. He was 75. His family announced his death, which followed a decade-long battle with cancer.

Franchione led nine teams to conference championships and bowl games. He is remembered for transforming the TCU program. The Horned Frogs had a 1-10 record the year before Franchione arrived in 1998. He guided them to a 7-5 record and a Sun Bowl victory against USC that season, their first bowl win since 1956.

Franchione coached at Alabama for two seasons and then Texas A&M, where he resigned in 2007. His legacy includes coaching Pro Football Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Urlacher.

Diagnosed with a cancerous kidney tumor in 2016, Franchione achieved remission. Cancer returned in 2021, and again earlier this year. He entered hospice care in October.

TCU Athletic Director Mike Buddie offered condolences, stating, “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.”

Franchione began his coaching career as an assistant at Kansas State in 1978. He compiled a 213-135-2 overall record over 30 seasons as a head coach.