Aug. 18, 2006

 Dennis Franchione, Pittsburg State University (Kan.)

Football
Graduated: 1973

Major: Health, Physical Education

Introduced as the head coach at Texas A&M University in 2003, Franchione has an impressive coaching resume.  In his 23 years as a head coach, 18 have produced winning seasons.  His unemotional and analytical style has led the way to 16 300-plus scoring seasons.

A 1973 graduate of Pittsburg State, Franchione started his head coaching career at Southwestern College (Kan.) in 1981.  He finished with a 14-4-2 record before moving to his alma mater in 1984. During his five years as head coach of the Gorillas, he was twice named NAIA Coach of the Year, once in 1986 and again the following year in 1987, and compiled a 53-6-0 record. He led Pittsburg State to five straight conference titles, five consecutive playoff appearances and a regular-season winning streak of 45 consecutive games.

Franchione went to Alabama after a three-year stint at TCU where he forged a 25-10 overall mark and a 16-7 record in Western Athletic Conference games. In the six seasons prior to his arrival, the Horned Frogs had won a combined 24 games. Under Franchione's tutelage, TCU won back-to-back WAC titles in 1999 and 2000. Following the 2000 season, the WAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year played for Franchione at TCU.

A prominent name in college football, Franchione currently serves on the AFCA Ethics Committee.

Meet the N.A.I.A.'s index