Dennis Franchione, whose college football coaching career included stops at Texas A&M, Alabama and TCU and whose players included Hall of Famers La Dainian Tomlinson and Brian Urlacher, has died at the age of 75, his family announced Tuesday.
Franchione's death was confirmed to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram by family members and announced by TCU. He had been diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and again in 2021, but it had been in remission. Family friends told the Star-Telegram that the cancer returned earlier this year and that Franchione had recently been put in hospice.
Known throughout his career as an offensive innovator, Franchione led nine teams to conference championships and bowl games. He coached 40 years in total, starting as an assistant at Kansas State in 1978, and he compiled a 213-135-2 overall record over 30 seasons as a head coach. He retired from coaching in 2015 after stepping down at Texas State.
"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," TCU coach Sonny Dykes said in a statement. Franchione's career took off after he left New Mexico for TCU in 1998.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing