Dennis Franchione, Former TCU, Alabama and Texas A&M Coach, Dies at 75

Dennis Franchione, the longtime college football coach who led programs including TCU, Alabama and Texas A&M, has died at the age of 75. His family confirmed his death on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and TCU also announced his passing.

Franchione's coaching career spanned more than four decades and included some of the most prominent programs in American college football. He began his college coaching career as an assistant at Kansas State before eventually becoming a head coach at New Mexico, TCU, Alabama, Texas A&M and Texas State.

Successful Career at TCU

Franchione is particularly remembered at TCU for helping transform the program. When he arrived, the Horned Frogs were coming off a 1-10 season. Under his leadership, TCU quickly became a competitive program and earned a major bowl victory over USC.

The team continued to improve, finishing the 2000 season with a 10-2 record and a Top 25 ranking. Future Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson was one of the stars of Franchione's TCU teams.

Time at Alabama and Texas A&M

Franchione moved to Alabama in 2001. During his two seasons with the Crimson Tide, he recorded a 17-8 record and led the team to a 10-win season in 2002.

He then became head coach at Texas A&M, where he spent five seasons from 2003 to 2007. He guided the Aggies to a 9-3 record in 2006, including a notable victory over Texas in Austin.

Franchione later returned to Texas State, where he coached until 2015 and concluded his career on the sidelines.

Battle With Cancer

Franchione had battled cancer for years. He was diagnosed in 2016 and again in 2021, with the disease later returning in 2026. Reports said he entered hospice care recently.

He finished his college head-coaching career with 213 victories, according to TCU and other reports. He was also inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

Remembered as "Coach Fran"

Tributes from TCU emphasized not only Franchione's accomplishments as a coach but also his impact as a mentor, father and friend. TCU athletic director Mike Buddie said the program's fortunes would not be what they are today without Franchione's contributions.

His death marks the end of a long coaching career that helped shape several college football programs and influenced generations of players and coaches.