A&m Already Discussing Fran's Departure

[Smitty]

Source says Texas A&M, Franchione discussing settlement

ESPN.com news services

Texas A&M is talking about buying out Franchione's contract, sources have told ESPN college football analyst Andre Ware.

Franchione has been in hot water with the university for a newsletter he was sending out to donors willing to pay $1,200 for inside information. In mid-October, Texas A&M officials admonished Franchione for his secretive, for-pay newsletter and said the embarrassing episode would be a factor in deciding whether he returns next season.

The school said it would report the results of an internal investigation to the NCAA because of possible rules violations, and Franchione was ordered to shut down his Web site, CoachFran.com. He also will receive a "letter of admonishment."

"The Aggies are embarrassed right now," athletic director Bob Byrne said in October. "This has been a very unfortunate incident we do not want to experience again."

Franchione, who came to Texas A&M from Alabama in 2003. He's 31-27 overall with the Aggies. He also coached at TCU and New Mexico.

Texas A&M is reportedly researching whether Franchione violated his contract with the income he received from the newsletter. If he is found in violation of the contract, the Aggies may not have to pay the coach anything upon firing him.

Franchione's contract pays him $2 million per season and runs through 2012. A buyout will be $141,667 per month for the remainder of the contract, or about $8 million. Ware reported Monday that Texas A&M is looking for a buyout in the $2 million range.

Ware reported that Texas A&M wants to talk to Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville for a potential vacancy. He reported that the school is working with Chuck Neinas, who runs a consulting firm specializing in hiring coaches.

Texas A&M is 6-4 this season heading into a game at Missouri on Saturday.

Information from The Associated Press is included in this report.

So how will all the coaching changes impact UNT's recruiting? Does A&M and SMU's uncertainty help us this year? That may depend on who the Aggies and Mustangs hire, and how quickly they hire them.

[Quoner]

I love when ESPN takes a story that has been out for a few weeks and then makes it theirs.

This will probably help Franny get to SMU.

[SilverEagle]

"The Aggies are embarrassed right now," athletic director Bob Byrne said in October. "This has been a very unfortunate incident we do not want to experience again."

You know, if they aren't embarrassed by any of their stupid traditions and/or stupid behavior at football games, then why should this incident embarrass them?

[Quoner]

"The Aggies are embarrassed right now," athletic director Bob Byrne said in October. "This has been a very unfortunate incident we do not want to experience again."

You know, if they aren't embarrassed by any of their stupid traditions and/or stupid behavior at football games, then why should this incident embarrass them?

you hate your son, don't you?

[CMJ]

You know, if they aren't embarrassed by any of their stupid traditions and/or stupid behavior at football games, then why should this incident embarrass them?

Because their traditions are kinda cool and unique?

Hell at least they have traditions.

Edited November 5, 2007 by CMJ

[Quoner]

Because their traditions are kinda cool and unique?

Hell at least they have traditions.

The fun part of these threads are when everybody's second school starts to come out and those biases cloud things while everyone pretends to not have them.

No matter what you think about the Aggies, we should focus our energy on the truly horrible things in this world - like Texas Douche.

[CMJ]

The fun part of these threads are when everybody's second school starts to come out and those biases cloud things while everyone pretends to not have them.

No matter what you think about the Aggies, we should focus our energy on the truly horrible things in this world - like Texas Douche.

Yes, but A&M isn't even my 2nd or 3rd school - those that know me know it's Auburn for football.

I do prefer the Aggies to Texas though.

[Green Lantern]

This part made me laugh. Kudos on the costume.

[TheColonyEagle]

Has there ever been a coach turn a big bag-of-nothing into millions and millions of dollars to the extent Coach Fran has?

What a con-artist.

[Cerebus]

You... you... posted a picture of yourself... on the interweb.com?

/facepalm

[Quoner]

You... you... posted a picture of yourself... on the interweb.com?

/facepalm

But it worked out so well for Fire Fightin' Rick...

Wait, wha?

[Cerebus]

Keep telling yourself that.

Odds are right now someone who reads this board is planing to make a "Silence of the Lambs / It Puts the Lotion on It's Skin" suit out of you.

[Quoner]

Has there ever been a coach turn a big bag-of-nothing into millions and millions of dollars to the extent Coach Fran has?

What a con-artist.

Norv Turner scoffs at that statement, as long as you meant to say "head coach."

He would also like you to meet his buddy Dave from Pittsburgh via ol' Chicago way.

[LongJim]

I think this dude would have hugged anyone or anything nearby at that moment. Was he wearing a teddy?? Dude is snotlockered!!

BTW, I think you and Quoner secretly took great satisfaction in dressing in UT attire.

You both look strangely content, and unfettered in those photos.

As if you have finally faced something within your collective selves and come...out, in a way.

[FirefightnRick]

Texas Douche, huh? That's taking my and ADLER'S "Bootlicker" term to new heights.

"Booterlicker"? That costume would be even more difficult to explain.

Rick