Dennis Franchione, a former head coach for several college football programs, died Tuesday at age 75.
Family members told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Mac Engel that Franchione passed away after his cancer returned earlier this year. He was diagnosed with a tumor in his kidney in 2016 and was in full remission after another diagnosis in 2021.
Franchione revived TCU’s football program, leading the Horned Frogs to 25 wins from 1998 to 2000. The program confirmed his death on Tuesday morning.
“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of former TCU Head Coach Dennis Franchione and offer our deepest condolences to Coach Franchione’s family,” TCU wrote on social media.
“Coach was a true gentleman”
G Fiume/Getty Images
Franchione spent six seasons as New Mexico’s head coach before taking over a TCU team that won one game in 1997. He led them to a 6-5 regular season before earning the program’s first bowl game win since 1957.
TCU went 10-2 in 2000 behind a dominant season from future NFL star LaDainian Tomlinson. The school finished inside the AP’s Top 25 for the first time in 41 years.
“TCU mourns alongside the Franchione family at the passing of ‘Coach Fran,'” TCU athletic director Mike Buddie said. “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. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kim, and the entire Franchione family.”
TCU has since flourished under Gary Patterson and Sonny Dykes, who mourned Franchione’s passing.
“Our program’s thoughts and prayers are with the Franchione family as well as all those whose lives he impacted,” Dykes said. “Coach was a true gentleman who loved his time at TCU and set the program on the path to all of the great success that has followed. College football is in a better place for having Dennis Franchione’s influence on it, and today is a great loss to all who knew him.”
Franchione then coached two seasons at Alabama before going 32-28 at Texas A&M and ending his career at Texas State. He went 213-135-2 over 30 seasons.
“Remembering Coach Dennis Franchione and the memories he gave Alabama Football,” the program wrote. “Rest in peace, Coach Fran. Forever part of the Crimson Tide story.”
