Dennis Franchione, whose college football coaching career spanned more than three decades and produced over 200 wins, has died at 75. TCU announced his passing Tuesday. Franchione led Alabama, Texas A&M and TCU, building a reputation as an offensive innovator who won conference titles and guided teams to bowl games wherever he coached.
The signature chapter of his career came in Fort Worth. He took over a TCU program that had finished 1-10, and the following season he led the Horned Frogs to a bowl upset of USC. That turnaround made him one of the most sought-after coaches in the country and opened the door to bigger programs. He retired in 2015 after stepping down at Texas State.
Off the field, Franchione faced cancer more than once. He was diagnosed in 2016 and again in 2021, and family members said the disease returned this year after a period of remission; he had recently entered hospice care. TCU athletic director Mike Buddie remembered him as “a beloved father, mentor, and friend to so many,” and offered thoughts and prayers to his wife, Kim, and the Franchione family.
Who was the coach you remember most from your Saturday afternoons? Share your memories in the comments.
