Dennis Franchione's head coaching career lasted from 1985 to 2015, he won the Iron Bowl and the Lone Star Showdown, but it was his three years at TCU (TCU Gear) that were his greatest contribution to the sport. The coach whose tenure gave birth to a new era of growth and prosperity for TCU, and the city of Fort Worth, died on Tuesday at the age of 75 in Austin after a decade with cancer. Family members confirmed the news this morning.

He was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his kidney in 2016, and cleared that. In 2021, he was given a more dire cancer diagnosis, but after treatment was in full remission. According to family friends, the cancer returned earlier this year, and he was moved to hospice care in October. He most recently returned to TCU as a guest of coach Sonny Dykes to attend a spring football game in 2022, which unofficially ended any remaining bad feelings from members of the community toward Fran. For a long time, some members of TCU’s fanbase could not get over how he handled his exit from the school after the end of the 2000 regular season. Franchione said later in life that his greatest coaching years were those spent at TCU.

Dennis Franchione changed TCU
Before he was hired by TCU after the 1997 season, Fran had successful runs at Pittsburg State, Southwest Texas State (now Texas State) and New Mexico.

He was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his kidney in 2016, and cleared that. In 2021, he was given a more dire cancer diagnosis, but after treatment was in full remission. According to family friends, the cancer returned earlier this year, and he was moved to hospice care in October.

He most recently returned to TCU as a guest of coach Sonny Dykes to attend a spring football game in 2022, which unofficially ended any remaining bad feelings from members of the community toward Fran. For a long time, some members of TCU’s fanbase could not get over how he handled his exit from the school after the end of the 2000 regular season. Franchione said later in life that his greatest coaching years were those spent at TCU. Dennis Franchione changed TCU Before he was hired by TCU after the 1997 season, Fran had successful runs at Pittsburg State, Southwest Texas State (now Texas State) and New Mexico.

Between Fran, the success of the team and LT, TCU was nationally relevant. By the middle of 2000, Fran was a target for bigger schools, LT was a candidate for the Heisman Trophy, and TCU was in the discussion as a “BCS Buster.” Fran wanted to win a national title, so when Alabama called, he accepted the job. TCU finished 10-2 that season, and ranked 21st in the final AP poll; it was the first time the team finished ranked in the final AP poll since 1959. TCU hired Fran’s defensive coordinator as the new head coach, Gary Patterson. Patterson’s era receives most of the credit for forming TCU into what it is today, but it started with Dennis Franchione.

Franchione’s time at Alabama and Texas A&M It is unfathomable to conceive that a coach would leave Alabama without being fired, but that’s what Fran did.

Fran inherited a job at ‘Bama that was under investigation by the NCAA for various potential sanctions. He and his wife, Kim, didn’t love the scrutiny that came with being the head coach of the University of Alabama football team. He coached at ‘Bama for two years, which included a 10-3 record in 2002. Earlier that year, the team was hit hard by the NCAA for various penalties, at which point Franchione and Alabama had issues about his contract.

Texas A&M called, and he left for College Station.

Despite the highest of hopes, Fran’s era at A&M turned out to be like so many others there. He took over a bad team, and in his first season the Aggies suffered a 77-0 loss at No. 1 Oklahoma, and it was as if the team never recovered.

Despite the highest of hopes, Fran’s era at A&M turned out to be like so many others there. He took over a bad team, and in his first season the Aggies suffered a 77-0 loss at No. 1 Oklahoma, and it was as if the team never recovered.

And then there were grandchildren. Family photos. Of a life.

At the time of his interview with the Star-Telegram in 2018, he had already gone through one bout with cancer. He watched a lot of college football, but he played a lot of golf and spent a lot of time with his family. His perspective about life, and his career, was full. He left Alabama to chase something that he wanted: A national title, a high point that ultimately he never came close to achieving. It was only until later that he realized how good he had it at TCU, a school that continues to benefit from his presence to this day.