Dennis Franchione, the offensive mastermind who coached at TCU, Alabama and Texas A&M, has died, his family announced. He was 75.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, which first reported the news, said Franchione's family confirmed his death, adding that he battled cancer for a decade. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and 2021, but it had been in remission. Family friends said the cancer returned earlier this year. Franchione recently went into hospice, the newspaper reported.
Franchione compiled a 213-135-2 record in over 30 seasons as a head coach. He led nine different teams to Bowl Game appearances.
He was one of nine FBS coaches who were announced in June as nominees for the 2027 College Football Hall of Fame class.
TCU, Alabama Remember Dennis Franchione
Franchione was best known for turning the TCU into a powerhouse program. Franchione became the TCU head coach in 1998 and inherited a team that went 1-10 the previous season.
In his first year, Franchione led the Horned Frogs to a 6-5 regular-season record. He also helped lead TCU to a 28-19 upset win over USC in the 1998 Norwest Sun Bowl, the program's first bowl win in 41 years.
Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson twice led the nation in rushing under Franchione, and TCU won consecutive Western Athletic Conference co-championships.
"TCU mourns alongside the Franchione family at the passing of 'Coach Fran,'" athletics director Mike Buddie said in a statement. "Our fortunes as a department would not be what they are today without the efforts of Coach Franchione, his staff, and players."
In 2000, the Horned Frogs went 10-2 in Franchione's final season at TCU and finished No. 21 on the AP Poll. It was the first time TCU finished the season in the final rankings since 1959.
"College football is in a better place for having Dennis Franchione's influence on it. Today is a great loss to all who knew him," TCU coach Sonny Dykes said in a statement.
Franchione accepted the head coaching gig with Alabama in 2001. That year, he led the Crimson Tide to a 10-3 record, capturing the SEC West title.
"Remembering Coach Dennis Franchione and the memories he gave Alabama Football," the
