Espn Just Said Fran Is Gone

[leroyjenkins]

They said on college football live that TAMU is buying Fran out.

[leroyjenkins]

ESPN reported that there will be a buy out of around 2 million and that TAMU will not search for a new head coach until after the season is over. They said however that Tuberville will more than likely be their number 1 choice and would be willing to pay big for him.

[Holt's Cat]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3095710

[leroyjenkins]

Source says Texas A&M, Franchione discussing settlement
ESPN.com news services

Updated: November 5, 2007, 2:12 PM ET
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Dennis Franchione's days as the head coach at Texas A&M appear to be numbered.






Franchione

Texas A&M is talking about buying out Franchione's contract, sources have told ESPN's Andre Ware.




Franchione has been in hot water with the university for a newsletter he was sending out to donors willing to pay $1,200 for inside information. In mid-October, Texas A&M officials admonished Franchione for his secretive, for-pay newsletter and said the embarrassing episode would be a factor in deciding whether he returns next season.




The school said it would report the results of an internal investigation to the NCAA because of possible rules violations, and Franchione was ordered to shut down his Web site, CoachFran.com. He also will receive a "letter of admonishment."




"The Aggies are embarrassed right now," athletic director Bob Byrne said in October. "This has been a very unfortunate incident we do not want to experience again."




Franchione, who came to Texas A&M from Alabama in 2003. He's 31-27 overall with the Aggies. He also coached at TCU and New Mexico.




Texas A&M is reportedly researching whether Franchione violated his contract with the income he received from the newsletter. If he is found in violation of the contract, the Aggies may not have to pay the coach anything upon firing him.




Franchione's contract pays him $2 million per season and runs through 2012. A buyout will be $141,667 per month for the remainder of the contract, or about $8 million. Ware reported Monday that Texas A&M is looking for a buyout in the $2 million range.




Ware reported that Texas A&M wants to talk to Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville for a potential vacancy. He reported that the school is working with Chuck Neinas, who runs a consulting firm specializing in hiring coaches.



Texas A&M is 6-4 this season heading into a game at Missouri on Saturday.




Information from The Associated Press is included in this report.

[Holt's Cat]

Adios, Mofo.

[degenerate_gambler]

man, i thought mizzou would pound aggy pretty good before i saw this story..

now...with an official lame duck coach, daniels may pass for 500 against that secondary.

[MoSpur]

Worst coach I've seen in a long time. Big disappointment. I felt a bad vibe when they hired that guy. Glad he is not the coach of the Aggies anymore. Bring RC back!!!!!

[leroyjenkins]

i wouldnt go as far to say bring back rc, but i would take him over fran def.

[Doug Collins]

Maybe we can get Paterno...

[leroyjenkins]

Maybe we can get Paterno...

prolly could only get his statue


http://imagearchive.psu.edu/displayimage.php?album=topn&cat=-1440&pos=0

[MoSpur]

Man what a dream it would be to bring Jimmy Johnson out of retirement to coach college again and have him coach A & M. I know it would never happen, but that would be awesome. He was born in Texas wasn't he?

[Doug Collins]

Coach Franchione out at Texas A&M
Web Posted: 11/05/2007 02:46 PM CST
By Brent Zwerneman
Express-News
COLLEGE STATION Texas A&M football coach Dennis Franchione has accepted a buyout and has agreed to step down at the Aggies’ football coach, CBS Sports announced on its Web site.

It was not immediately clear if Franchione would coach the team in its final two regular-season games. The Aggies face Missouri on the road Saturday and close the regular season at home against Texas on Nov. 23.

If he steps down immediately, Kenith Pope, A&M’s assistant head coach, is expected to be named the team’s interim head coach. Pope, if named, would become the first African-American to coach a major-college football team in Texas.

The buyout agreement comes barely three weeks after Franchione was admonished by the school for his involvement in a secret booster newsletter that provided him with thousands of dollars in income he failed to report in accordance with NCAA rules.

Franchione’s newsletter operation, which was revealed in an Express-News article on Sept. 28, compounded his difficulties in trying to keep the Aggies competitive in the Big 12. A&M has compiled a 31-25 record during his five seasons, but posted losing records in his 2003 debut season and again in 2005.

Prior to Franchione’s arrival, A&M had not recorded a losing season in 21 years.
The Aggies stand 6-4 after losing to Okahoma 42-14 Saturday. A&M will be bowl eligible even if they lose their final two games.

Pope, a native of Galveston, played college ball at Oklahoma and worked on Franchione’s staffs at TCU and Alabama before following Franchione to A&M in 2003. He coached wide receivers his first three seasons at A&M. He was reassigned to running backs last season.

A three-year starter at cornerback for OU, Pope was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the ninth round of the 1974 draft and played briefly for the New England Patriots. He signed with the Sooners out of Galveston Ball in 1970.

Franchione was hired following the 2002 season to replace R.C. Slocum, the all-time leader in A&M coaching victories. Slocum, who never experienced a losing season in his 14 years as head coach, was fired after a 6-6 campaign that re-enforced the opinion of many boosters that his program was losing ground in the Big 12.

Then-A&M President Robert Gates, now the secretary of defense, fired Slocum as part of an athletic department house-cleaning that earlier swept aside long-time athletic director Wally Groff.

Nebraska athletic director Bill Byrne was hired to replace Groff, and two days later the Aggies hired Franchione away from Alabama, where he had coached just two seasons. Franchione landed at Alabama after three successful seasons at TCU. He coached Southwest Texas now Texas State to winning seasons during a two-year stint in 1990-91.

Franchione’s first A&M team posted a 4-8 record, punctuated by a 77-0 loss to the Sooners. His 2004 squad rebounded to a 7-5 mark and a Cotton Bowl berth that resulted in a 38-7 loss to Tennessee.

His 2005 team collapsed after a promising 30-28 road victory over Kansas State in late October. The Aggies were beaten the following week at home by Iowa State 42-14. Ensuing losses to Texas Tech, Oklahoma and UT left A&M with a 5-6 record and out of bowl contention.

In 2006, the Aggies posted a 9-4 record, good enough for a Holiday Bowl appearance that resulted in a 45-10 loss to California. That came on the heels of what looked like a breakthrough for Franchione road a victory over the Longhorns, A&M’s first conquest of UT in seven years.

Franchione’s record against OU, UT and Tech a litmus test for many A&M fans was 2-12. His 2004 team lost to Baylor, 35-34 in overtime, the first Aggies setback to the Bears in 19 years. A&M had beaten Baylor 73-0 the year before.

The pubic disclosure of Franchione’s “VIP Connection” newsletter came the week after A&M’s first loss of the season, a 34-17 nationally televised road blowout to Miami. The newsletter, written by A&M athletic department assistant Mike McKenzie, detailed team injuries and provided often critical personnel assessments information that Franchione often withheld from the media.

More than a dozen subscribers paid $1,200 a year for the newsletter, each after signing a confidentiality agreement. Franchione said subscription revenue was used to fund his personal website.

Byrne admonished Franchione, fired McKenzie and ordered Franchione’s Web site shut down. The school’s investigation detailed three likely rules violations, the worst being Franchione’s failure to report the income from his newsletter.

Byrne said he has no prior knowledge of the newsletter.


Frantastic is gone!!!!

[leroyjenkins]

Man what a dream it would be to bring Jimmy Johnson out of retirement to coach college again and have him coach A & M. I know it would never happen, but that would be awesome. He was born in Texas wasn't he?

yeah i remember hearing all the jimmy johnson rumors when rc left too, i think he had a connection with a & m because of his kids but im not sure

[CubanMustGo]

Hey, A&M likes ex-Alabama coaches, Mike DuBose is available. :lmao

[johngateswhiteley]

i think we already knew Fran was gone after this year...but it is nice to see anyway. TT could be a good fit, but i don't know....they better bring in somebody great.

[IcemanCometh]

hahahahahah

[IcemanCometh]

It's like a part of me died a little inside. I'm gonna miss that magnificent bastard

[LaMarcus Bryant]

What does the spurstalk cfb forum community say this does in regards to the rest of A&M's schedule? Does this influence the thanksgiving game in any way? Will the rivalry effect + home field advantage still hold more weight than any coaching change?

I think it benefits the horns, if only a little bit.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

www.coachfran.com

ROFLROFLROFLROFL

[Brutalis]

I'm confused.. didn't get just get the job?

?
?
?

[johngateswhiteley]

What does the spurstalk cfb forum community say this does in regards to the rest of A&M's schedule? Does this influence the thanksgiving game in any way? Will the rivalry effect + home field advantage still hold more weight than any coaching change?

I think it benefits the horns, if only a little bit.

A&M is beating t.u., we will not lose that game.

[word]

Maybe we can get Paterno...

Supposedly their #1 pick is Tommy TOOOOberville.

You'd have to be out of your mind to leave the SEC and go to the big XII.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

A&M is beating t.u., we will not lose that game.


I dunno JGW, A&M has looked incredibly shitty in the past 4 weeks, like incredibly shitty, nowhere near as good as I (much less you) thought.....even your trojans are looking pretty feeble
like really feeble

lol

[BeerIsGood!]

Supposedly their #1 pick is Tommy TOOOOberville.

You'd have to be out of your mind to leave the SEC and go to the big XII.

#3,4,5 in BCS are Big XII teams.

[Holt's Cat]

#3,4,5 in BCS are Big XII teams.

I'm not sure he meant it that way.

It's 4,5, & 6, but you were close enough for government work. I'd be remiss in not pointing out that the correct prononciation of the first syllable of the Auburn Tigers' head coach's name is tub, as in a bath.

[Holt's Cat]

What does the spurstalk cfb forum community say this does in regards to the rest of A&M's schedule? Does this influence the thanksgiving game in any way? Will the rivalry effect + home field advantage still hold more weight than any coaching change?

I think it benefits the horns, if only a little bit.

Horns are horrid this season. Hopefully horn fans are stupid enough to want Mack canned after T+1. Given that most drop acid and screw their palms it could happen.

[MajorMike]

A wonderful saga has come to a close.

[degenerate_gambler]

What does the spurstalk cfb forum community say this does in regards to the rest of A&M's schedule? Does this influence the thanksgiving game in any way? Will the rivalry effect + home field advantage still hold more weight than any coaching change?

I think it benefits the horns, if only a little bit.



We get to see Steve McGee lay it all on the line and rally 'round his coach one last time on T+1. Hell he may even be allowed to throw a pass farther than 20 yards in the first 3 quarters.

[Doug Collins]

Supposedly their #1 pick is Tommy TOOOOberville.

You'd have to be out of your mind to leave the SEC and go to the big XII.


Lots of $$$$$$$ + a fanbase desperate to support a winning anything = enough reason to leave

I still would prefer they not hire Tuberville but I don't really care anymore.

[BeerIsGood!]

I'm not sure he meant it that way.

It's 4,5, & 6, but you were close enough for government work. I'd be remiss in not pointing out that the correct prononciation of the first syllable of the Auburn Tigers' head coach's name is tub, as in a bath.

Prononciation? Only one letter off, but as you said close enough for government work.

I was told 3,4,5 by the superstars at ESPN Radio, so I'm laying that one at their feet.

[leroyjenkins]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3097257

[RonMexico]

A wonderful saga has come to a close.

How soon until Sean Sutton is gone?

[LEN BIAS 4EVER]

How about going after Rich Rodriguez ?? TAMU has more athletic cash and a better geographical situation for recruiting than WVU.

Besides Tuberville, who else is on the list ??

And wouldn't Bo Pellini be your number 1 choice, not Tuberville ??

[MajorMike]

Pellini would be a hell of a coach, IMO.

I don't think atm is going to be able to get a head coach from a top 25-35 football school.

Are there any old NFL coaches with atm ties? That seems to be the new trend; NFL coaches that couldn't hack it going back to their schools.

What about:

Gary Darnell (OSU Grad) - current DC
Bob Davie - atm DC 89-93; former ND HC
Tim Lewis - former atm assistant (87-88); current Carolina Panthers' DB coach
Greg Davis - atm QBC 78-84, current UT OC; Broyles Award Winner
Mike Hankwitz - atm DC 97-02; current Wisc DC
Steve Kragthorpe - atm OC 97-00; current Louisville HC (one would argue if L'ville is a top program; they certainly have been better than atm since 2000 or so)
Alan Weddell - atm ILBC (98-03); current Houston Univ DC
Ronnie Thompson - atm QB/RBC (86-88); current Port Arthur Memorial HC
Mike Sherman - atm OLC; current Houston Texans OC
Shawn Slocum - atm LB (83-84); atm assistant (89); current Green Bay Special Teams Coach
Rex Norris - atm HC 1972; current Amsterdam Admirals DC

What about someone from outside?
Randy Edsall - UConn HC since 99
David Elson - W. Kentucky HC since 03; 06 Eddie Robinson national Coach-of-the-Year Award finalist
Brian Kelly - Cincinnati HC
Rick Stockstill - Middle Tennessee HC
Bobby Johnson - Vandy HC since 02

[mookie2001]

John Blake

[RonMexico]

I don't think atm is going to be able to get a head coach from a top 25-35 football school.

Your bias displayed in a single sentence.

You will be proven wrong.

[Extra Stout]

Your bias displayed in a single sentence.

You will be proven wrong.
I think throwing a huge wad of cash at a big name reeks of hubris. Even though A&M probably can lure that type of coach simply by grossly overpaying, they shouldn't.

[j-6]

I think throwing a huge wad of cash at a big name reeks of hubris. Even though A&M probably can lure that type of coach simply by grossly overpaying, they shouldn't.

That's what happened the last time they lured over a SEC coach. Fran didn't hatch out of an effing egg - he was dirty when the Ags hired him.

[MajorMike]

LOL. And people wonder why I ignore ronnie. 10 of his last 13 posts in the college forum were directed at me. The obsession continues.... typical Suns fan.

[samikeyp]

A buddy of mine suggested Gary Kubiak. Anyone think he might leave the Texans?

[Holt's Cat]

A buddy of mine suggested Gary Kubiak. Anyone think he might leave the Texans?

The avg college coach pulls down under a mil a season. In the NFL the average is something like $2 mil per at least.

I'd like Kubiak, but he's not done in Houston. A&M had their shot at him back when they hired Fran.

[RonMexico]

I think throwing a huge wad of cash at a big name reeks of hubris. Even though A&M probably can lure that type of coach simply by grossly overpaying, they shouldn't.

Regardless of whether they should, I'm pretty sure they probably will. Byrne's able to pull in a mid-major guy like Turgeon for the low-radar basketball program, but some influential boosters will likely make their choices loud and clear. Hopefully, he'll stick to his guns and get the right person for the job, no matter where he finds him.

My point is that Mike is downplaying the Aggie influence and Aggie bankroll (not like I'm surprised - this is the guy who predicted A&M wouldn't make the NCAA tournament last year because their early season RPI was low). Football is king in Texas, and all of us on this board discussed back in June that A&M and UT bring in the most money off football in the conference. Those factors alone lead me to believe that a coach from at least a top 35 school or above will be brought (or is it "bought"?) into College Station.

[RonMexico]

LOL. And people wonder why I ignore ronnie. 10 of his last 13 posts in the college forum were directed at me. The obsession continues.... typical Suns fan.

I have a strong feeling that figure is incorrect, but enjoy your lunacy, Mike. I'd venture a guess that 80% of your posts rip on "atm," 10% are wasted on terrible nicknames like "Darth Visor," and the final 10% is used to self-fellate your World of Warcraft RPI.

[MajorMike]

A buddy of mine suggested Gary Kubiak. Anyone think he might leave the Texans?

No, altho I have seen stranger things. I seem to remember he wanted the job last time. He might be on the verge of a .500 season in Houston.

[leemajors]

mike price!

[Indazone]

good riddance!! Now all they need to do is get the Boise State Coach to come over. Or Appalachian State. They gotta get a proven winner this time. Look at what S. Carolina did with Spurrier.

[MajorMike]

Well, SC hasn't really done that much with Spurrier. Or with Holt before him. The Boise guy is only in his 2nd year at Boise, playing with Hawkins' players. Boise coaches are always in hot demand, but none of them have panned out.

Pokey Allen - died
Houston Nutt - longest tenured BCS level coach without BCS Bowl appearance
Dirk Koetter - fired by Az State; 6 years 40-34 (21-28)
Dan Hawkins - at CU; 2 years 7-14 (5-8)
Chris Petersen - 2 years so far; 750,000 buy out

[Holt's Cat]

Boise State is not a desirable source of coaching talent. I certainly wouldn't mind Tuberville, but he would be expensive, especially if Auburn put up a fight. Someone like Butch Davis makes a lot of sense for A&M. If not a current HC, then perhaps one of the highly regarded DCs in the SEC.

[MajorMike]

Davis is in his 1st year at UNC.

I don't know if you can say SEC and highly regarded defense this year. SEC has turned into an offense league. Pelini might be the only exception.

[Holt's Cat]

Davis is in his 1st year at UNC.

Still would be easier and less expensive to pry away than Tuberville.




I don't know if you can say SEC and highly regarded defense this year. SEC has turned into an offense league. Pelini might be the only exception.

LSU, Auburn, or Florida would shut down just about every offense in the Big XII.

[degenerate_gambler]

I'll admit I'm no expert on all things aggy. But why would Tuberville want to go to A&M, which would be a lateral move and not an upward move on the CFB foodchain.

My aggy friends speak of loyalty and coming back home. The guy was there for one year under Slocum. Not much of a history there.

But who knows? Maybe if Saban beats him this year, it could foreshadow years of ownage by Bama and he might see that this is the time to hit the road.

[MajorMike]

I wonder that myself. In reality, he only spent 1 year at atm. The only thing that gets me is that he had an undefeated year at Auburn and still couldn't win the MNC there. Still, out of the past 7 years he has finished 1st or tied for 1st in his division 5 times. He is tied for the best SEC record this decade (with LSU).

One thing in atm's favor with TT is that he is still supposedly VERY sore about the attempted coup in 2003 when the Pres and AD had secret meetings with Bobby Petrino to hire him and fire TT.

TT currently makes 2,231,000 and if I remember correctly it goes up 200k each year. Fran makes 2,012,200. Therefore a new deal with atm is going to have to be in the 3 mil per range. Davis makes 1,800,000 himself, so he isn't much cheaper than Fran or TT.

Other HCs you might be able to lure with the money would be UConn's Randy Edsall (845,000), David Elson @ W Kentucky (200,000), Cincy's Brian Kelly (825,000) or Bobby Johnson @ Vandy (750,000). You could prolly offer 1.5 per and they would take it. I'm sure Elson would go for ~1 per. Rich Brooks @ UK gets 1 mil.

What about Frank Solich (262,172) Skip Holtz (425,000) or Tulsa's Todd Graham (1,100,000).

[mookie2001]

I wonder what marcus bryant would say about this

[j-6]

I'll admit I'm no expert on all things aggy. But why would Tuberville want to go to A&M, which would be a lateral move and not an upward move on the CFB foodchain.

My aggy friends speak of loyalty and coming back home. The guy was there for one year under Slocum. Not much of a history there.

But who knows? Maybe if Saban beats him this year, it could foreshadow years of ownage by Bama and he might see that this is the time to hit the road.

Why flirt with A&M when it's pretty obvious the Nebraska job will be open after the season?

[RonMexico]

Why flirt with A&M when it's pretty obvious the Nebraska job will be open after the season?

Tom Osborne is becoming the coach... obviously