Spring Break
Report: Coach Fran's days are numbered
By: Steven Romo
Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: News
Texas A&M officials are in the process of reaching an agreement to buy out head football coach Dennis Franchione's contract, according to major sports networks ESPN and CBS Sports.
Alan Cannon, A&M's associate athletic director and head of media relations, denied the existence of a buyout.
"To the best of my knowledge, [these are] false rumors," Cannon said. "Around this time of year, these things come up when things don't go as planned."
Cannon said that Athletic Director Bill Byrne has said that he does not make coaching decisions until the end of the season, and that hasn't changed.
Still, inside sources are reporting to those major sport networks that Franchione is on the way out, and that he will not coach the Aggies next season.
Sources told the Houston Chronicle that the buyout would be $1.9 million, not the $8.5 million stipulated in his contract.
This is the latest fallout over an NCAA investigation of a secret newsletter that Franchione sent out to subscribers willing to pay $1,200. University officials said in October that they would issue a "letter of admonishment" to Franchione for this newsletter, and that it would also be a factor in deciding if he would return to coach the football team next season.
In a news conference held in October, A&M athletic director Bill Byrne expressed his disappointment over the issue.
"The Aggies are embarrassed right now," Byrne said. "This has been a very unfortunate incident we do not want to experience again."
Franchione's contract is written to last through 2012, and stipulates that his pay be $2 million per season. A buyout will be $141,667 per month for the remainder of the contract, or about $8 million, according to an ESPN report.
University officials said they are not commenting as of yet on the issue of Franchione's departure.
Texas A&M football team is 6-4 this season and will be heading into a game at Missouri this weekend.
Staff writer Kenny Ryan contributed to this report.
Alan Cannon, A&M's associate athletic director and head of media relations, denied the existence of a buyout.
"To the best of my knowledge, [these are] false rumors," Cannon said. "Around this time of year, these things come up when things don't go as planned."
Cannon said that Athletic Director Bill Byrne has said that he does not make coaching decisions until the end of the season, and that hasn't changed.
Still, inside sources are reporting to those major sport networks that Franchione is on the way out, and that he will not coach the Aggies next season.
Sources told the Houston Chronicle that the buyout would be $1.9 million, not the $8.5 million stipulated in his contract.
This is the latest fallout over an NCAA investigation of a secret newsletter that Franchione sent out to subscribers willing to pay $1,200. University officials said in October that they would issue a "letter of admonishment" to Franchione for this newsletter, and that it would also be a factor in deciding if he would return to coach the football team next season.
In a news conference held in October, A&M athletic director Bill Byrne expressed his disappointment over the issue.
"The Aggies are embarrassed right now," Byrne said. "This has been a very unfortunate incident we do not want to experience again."
Franchione's contract is written to last through 2012, and stipulates that his pay be $2 million per season. A buyout will be $141,667 per month for the remainder of the contract, or about $8 million, according to an ESPN report.
University officials said they are not commenting as of yet on the issue of Franchione's departure.
Texas A&M football team is 6-4 this season and will be heading into a game at Missouri this weekend.
Staff writer Kenny Ryan contributed to this report.
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