Former TCU and Texas A&M head coach Dennis Franchione has died, his family confirmed to The Dallas Morning News. He was 75 years old.
Franchione was hired by TCU in 1998, a season after the Horned Frogs went 1-10, and would immediately help turn the program around.
TCU went 7-5 in Franchione’s first season, winning the Sun Bowl over USC, before going 8-4 in 1999 and 10-1 in 2000. He then accepted the head coaching position at Alabama, opening the door for the Gary Patterson era in Fort Worth.
Franchione spent two seasons leading the Crimson Tide before replacing R.C. Slocum at Texas A&M. Over the next five seasons, Franchione went 32-28 leading the Aggies and took Texas A&M to the 2005 Cotton Bowl.
TCU released the following statement: Coach Franchione left a lasting mark on TCU. In three seasons, he ushered in a new era for TCU football and helped lay the foundation for the decades of athletics success that followed. He was respected for developing talented student-athletes into champions. We are grateful for his many contributions to TCU and the Horned Frog community.
Click here to read more on this report from our partners at The Dallas Morning News.