Franchione steps down as Texas A&M coach

Nov 24, 2007 - 2:24 AM COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Embattled coach Dennis Franchione is no longer an Aggie.

Franchione on Friday announced he was stepping down as football coach just hours after Texas A&M concluded their season with a 38-30 victory over No. 13 Texas.

"Kim (my wife) and I have arrived at the decision to step down as head football coach out of respect and love for our players, for this University and its football program," Franchione said in a statement.

The resignation comes as no surprise since Franchione has been embroiled in a controversy after reports surfaced last month that he violated NCAA rules by allegedly selling inside information to boosters in newsletter to finance his personal web site.

According to a report in the Express-News in October, the "VIP Connection" was written by Franchione's personal assistant Mike McKenzie and sent to around a dozen boosters who paid $1,200 a year for the privilege. That money was apparently used to maintain Franchione's web site, www.coachfran.com.

Franchione had maintained that he would not step down at the time, and Texas A&M athletics director Bill Byrne supported him through the whole ordeal.

Byrne echoed his support on Friday.

"I want to express my respect and gratitude to coach Franchione for his courage in making this decision, and putting the interests of his players and this institution ahead of his own interests," Bryne said. "Coach Franchione is a fine man, and a fine coach, and I consider him a friend. We wish him well and will do anything we can to assist him going forward.

"One thing I would like to say at this juncture concerning the private email incident. We now have reviewed all of the information available, and have taken what we think are appropriate actions on behalf of this institution. With regards to coach Franchione, we are now convinced that he did not intentionally, knowingly, or directly participate in actions that were inappropriate or in violation of rules or policies. ... We wish coach Franchione the very best moving forward, and we are grateful for all of his hard work and effort while he was here at Texas A&M."

Francione was hired away from Alabama in December 2002 and went 34-28 in five seasons with Texas A&M - his fifth Division I-A job. He has a career record of 120-93 in 18 seasons.

"We appreciate the opportunity we have had at this great institution to work with this administration, the people throughout this department and campus, and the former students," Franchione said. "We have made many lasting friendships."

The Crimson Tide were 3-8 in 2000 but went 7-5 in Franchione's first season in 2001 and 10-3 in 2002.

Franchione has a history of turning around programs.

After a 3-8 season in his first year at New Mexico, Franchione posted a 6-5 mark at the school in 1993. Four years later, the team went 9-4 and played in the Insight.com Bowl.

At Texas Christian, Franchione took over a program that went 1-10 in 1997 but improved to marks of 7-5, 8-4 and 10-1 the next three years. All three teams played in bowl games.