Longtime college football coach Dennis Franchione died at age 75 on Tuesday, October 6, his family announced. He was first diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and again in 2021, before the disease went into remission.
Family friends told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the cancer returned earlier this year. He was recently placed in hospice care prior to his death.
The death closed a 40-year coaching career. That career included leading programs at Alabama, Texas A&M, and TCU.
Franchione compiled a 213-135-2 overall record over 30 seasons as a head coach. He guided nine teams to conference championships and bowl games.
His career surged at TCU, where he took over a 1-10 team. In his first season he led the Horned Frogs to a Sun Bowl upset of USC, followed by consecutive WAC co-championships.
Current TCU coach Sonny Dykes said: "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." Franchione is survived by his wife, Kim, and three children.