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Coach Fran is in hot water, his head being called for

I think it is safe to say the writing is on the wall for him.

If one of his "elite" boosters is selling him out to the press, its time for him to move on.
 
Yeah, he has been hammered down here by a lot of people. Even the few supporters he had left are pretty much done with him. I thought he would survive for one more season because of the huge contract buyout, but I'm thinking Aggy will be ready to move on in the offseason.
 
I would love to know exactly what kind of inside info he was selling. If he's giving out names of injured players and their injuries, that's a criminal offense if I'm not mistaken.
 
Here´s a little more detailed article ... this has to be Fran´s end
Just when you thought the Oklahoman's Jenni Carlson had wrapped up the title of toughest columnist in the Big Twelve, along comes Dennis Franchione, of all people, to trump her.

Coach Fran provided the latest installment of "Bizarre Media Relations of the Big 12," when it was revealed that he's been running a secretive, $1,200-per year newsletter where he provided Texas A&M "boosters" with insider team info including injury reports and critical opinions on certain players.

Franchione's journalistic efforts were uncovered Friday by the San Antonio Express-News.

"I knew it was probably going to be controversial," Franchione told the paper. "I certainly didn't mean for it to be that. When I knew you guys were starting to ask around a bit, I thought, 'Maybe we shouldn't do this.'"

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Gee, you think? Selling injury reports on college athletes? Offering up negative words about your own players?

If that wasn't enough, how about the frightening advantage that such information would offer gamblers and/or their bookies? Or maybe it is just the fact that the guy was operating some kind of side publishing enterprise (do the folks at the Internal Revenue Service know about this?).

How about the potential violations of federal law (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) that protect student athletes' medical records and make detailed discussions of injuries a risky proposition?

Then there is the unsettling revelation of the secretive exchange of money between coach and boosters.

We're not suggesting anything untoward, of course, certainly not at a school that's currently tied for third all-time on the NCAA list of most major rule violations with seven. Let alone a place led by a coach so honest that, well, he'd green light this idea.

The good part for Coach Fran is it's just a matter of time now before he gets fired -- either for this or the fact his team isn't very good. So at least he's got a start on his future media career.

We imagine the newsletter was actually well done. Franchione obviously has a lot of free time to work on it since he doesn't waste time teaching players how to tackle.

The beauty of the cesspool that is college athletics is that Franchione's defenders are arguing that this isn't even a big deal considering what goes on everywhere else. The sad part is they're correct. In many ways this is nothing.

Still, the Express-News article is a treasure trove for all of us who love looking deep into the heart of supposed pristine college athletics and laughing at the absurdities. There is the paper's assertion that athletic director Bill Byrne "did not ask Franchione to stop the newsletter . . . but strongly suggested that it would be the prudent thing to do."

Hey, it's good to hear they have some clear-thinking leadership down there in College Station .

Here's some "prudent thing" advice for the athletic director, it's COA time, you might want to demand a cease and desist order. And to the coach's paycheck, not the publication of the newsletter (which Franchione said he has now stopped).

Then there is Franchione admitting that he was worried about the potential illegal gambling impact of letting private, privileged injury information out to a select group. Not worried enough to call off the idea, of course.

"We asked them to sign something and for them not to do that," Franchione said.

This is extremely sound thinking by Coach Fran. One thing we know about illegal gambling enterprises is that their interest in fixing games, buying off refs, breaking thumbs and avoiding taxes can be completely negated by having some supposed "booster" sign "something."

All this brain power and Aggie fans wonder why he can't manage a clock?

Then there was the assertion by Franchione that he didn't benefit financially from the pact. Then where exactly did all the $1,200 subscriptions go? Franchione, who makes about $2 million per year to go below .500 in Big Twelve play, said it helped underwrite his Web site.

We figure it didn't go to recruits because, ah, did you see the Miami game?

"It was a 'goodwill' gesture," Franchione's personal assistant Mike McKenzie told the paper.

Goodwill at $1,200 a pop, of course.

This ought to do wonders for A&M recruiting. Franchione already had a great school, a phenomenal campus and passionate fans to sell. Now he can top it off with his propensity to take shots at current players in a covert and potentially illegal publication.

I'm sure no rival coaches will bring this up on the recruiting trail, of course.

So now, college football breathlessly anticipates the Aggies’ Oct. 6 game against Oklahoma State and noted media critic Mike Gundy, who may take offense at Franchione questioning his players' speed, consistency and so on.

Gundy may not even wait until the postgame press conference to unleash a rant about how he hopes Franchione has fat children.

It should be great. Can't wait to read Carlson's report on the game.
 
Press conference this afternoon?

All sorts of rumors floating around.
 
I think its one thing to sell this informaiton in exchange for a donation. Its entirely another to do it for personal gain. He's toast.
 
Press conference this afternoon?

All sorts of rumors floating around.

I bet this will meet their show cause requirement to show him the door without a buyout. The lawyers will decide that in the end, one way or another. Fran should have stayed at Tulane. :smile2:
 
Sounds like he's a goner and it is just a matter of time. Coaching turnover is tough on a team and since aTm is on the Buffs schedule next year, I'm all for it. Maybe the Ags could hire Watson...he's due for a HC gig.
 
Fran the dip**** said:
"I knew it was probably going to be controversial," Franchione told the paper. "I certainly didn't mean for it to be that. When I knew you guys were starting to ask around a bit, I thought, 'Maybe we shouldn't do this.'"

Hmm. If you can't defend your actions in the public eye, you probably shouldn't be doing what ever you're trying to defend. Especially when you already make $2 million a year.
 
I wonder if this guy has always been this sleazy, and it's just catching up to him now.
 
I wonder if this guy has always been this sleazy, and it's just catching up to him now.

You really think this behavior is new for him? Wasnt this the guy that dumped his team for a new gig without even addressing his players?
 
I bet this will meet their show cause requirement to show him the door without a buyout. :smile2:

If you're right, he's definitely gonzo. Those yokels have been wanting to boot him for a couple of years but couldn't afford the $10mm buyout--this is just like Christmas for them.

Sounds like he's a goner and it is just a matter of time. Coaching turnover is tough on a team and since aTm is on the Buffs schedule next year, I'm all for it. Maybe the Ags could hire Watson...he's due for a HC gig.

My money's on Patterson from TCU. He's got a twang that should fit in nicely down there.
 
If you're right, he's definitely gonzo. Those yokels have been wanting to boot him for a couple of years but couldn't afford the $10mm buyout--this is just like Christmas for them.

My money's on Patterson from TCU. He's got a twang that should fit in nicely down there.

Actually, he got quite a few fans off his back with the win over Texas last November. Most were willing to give him a shot this year with an experienced team. He's wasted all that goodwill.

I think Patterson would think awfully hard about that. He really likes it at TCU and I'm not sure he wants to step into the landmine that the Aggy job is.
 
Actually, he got quite a few fans off his back with the win over Texas last November. Most were willing to give him a shot this year with an experienced team. He's wasted all that goodwill.

I think Patterson would think awfully hard about that. He really likes it at TCU and I'm not sure he wants to step into the landmine that the Aggy job is.

I don't know about Patterson. Doesn't he have connections to Fran? If he does I doubt the Lassie worshippers would go down that road again even though I think Patterson is a good coach and a stand up guy. I bet they go looking for a name coach but may have real trouble getting interest.

Here's a scary thought, the Ags get Chan Gailey from GT and he brings the frickin' witch of a DC he has. With aTm's talent that would be frightening.
 
I don't know about Patterson. Doesn't he have connections to Fran? If he does I doubt the Lassie worshippers would go down that road again even though I think Patterson is a good coach and a stand up guy. I bet they go looking for a name coach but may have real trouble getting interest.

Here's a scary thought, the Ags get Chan Gailey from GT and he brings the frickin' witch of a DC he has. With aTm's talent that would be frightening.

Gailey is an interesting possibility. I think any coach is going to think long and hard about stepping into the Aggy job. Pretty unrealistic expectations every year.

One of the names that has been thrown around is Tommy Tubberville. It's an interesting possibility as well. As an Auburn fan, I'm not sure what to think about that.
 
Gailey is an interesting possibility. I think any coach is going to think long and hard about stepping into the Aggy job. Pretty unrealistic expectations every year.

One of the names that has been thrown around is Tommy Tubberville. It's an interesting possibility as well. As an Auburn fan, I'm not sure what to think about that.

Maybe they can lure Kubiak away from the Texans? In spite of his current job, always thought A&M was his dream job.
 
Maybe they can lure Kubiak away from the Texans? In spite of his current job, always thought A&M was his dream job.

I don't think so. They had their chance in 2002 to grab Kubiak. I think he's happy in the NFL and has got a decent thing going in Houston now. He would be a great pick for them though.
 
Gailey is an interesting possibility. I think any coach is going to think long and hard about stepping into the Aggy job. Pretty unrealistic expectations every year.

One of the names that has been thrown around is Tommy Tubberville. It's an interesting possibility as well. As an Auburn fan, I'm not sure what to think about that.

I've heard Tuberville too. I thnk he's a good coach. The fire in the kitchen at Auburn is even hotter than aTm, so he might actually do it. Terry Bowden, the most rotund of the Bowden boys, is also rumored to be in the mood to coach again...that would be another name the Ags could rally around. Actually, the more I think about it, it could happen. Fire Fran, point to his indiscretions, appoint an interiim, hire Terry the day after UT pounds the Ags and let him start recruiting that day...stranger things have happened.
 
Maybe they can lure Kubiak away from the Texans? In spite of his current job, always thought A&M was his dream job.

I hope not, as I wouldn't want to root against Kubiak. If he were to take the aggy job, though, i'd be wishing ill against him quite a bit.
 
I've heard Tuberville too. I thnk he's a good coach. The fire in the kitchen at Auburn is even hotter than aTm, so he might actually do it. Terry Bowden, the most rotund of the Bowden boys, is also rumored to be in the mood to coach again...that would be another name the Ags could rally around. Actually, the more I think about it, it could happen. Fire Fran, point to his indiscretions, appoint an interiim, hire Terry the day after UT pounds the Ags and let him start recruiting that day...stranger things have happened.

Still a lot of bad blood between the administration and Tuberville after the whole Petrino incident as well. I wouldn't be shocked if he decided to leave (he was an assistant at Aggy at one time), but who knows. Bowden is possible as well.
 
I hope not, as I wouldn't want to root against Kubiak. If he were to take the aggy job, though, i'd be wishing ill against him quite a bit.

Great point. Suddenly the Ags have some viable alternatives.
 
I vote for Gary Barnett with Vince Okruch to run the D, and Shawn Watson picking his nose and calling the plays.
 
I vote for Gary Barnett with Vince Okruch to run the D, and Shawn Watson picking his nose and calling the plays.

I think Watson should stay where he is. I'd rather have him helping us every year with the corn than two years on two years off with the ATM machines. :thumbsup:
 
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