Coach Fran Ltr. to Boosters

[Pony in SA]

Any of you guys see that Coach Fran has been selling a letter with "inside information" on his team and players to selected boosters for $1,200 or so and using the money for himself and his website ? Front page of sports section down here in SA.

Called my good friend who is a doctor in Houston and big Aggie supporter with season tickets, donations, etc. He says that is not the only little venture Coach Fran has approached boosters like him about to make money for himself.

Is this allowed under the NCAA rules ? I know A & M will never get punished anyway, but I'm curious if anyone knows if there is a rule against a coach doing this ?

[HorsePower]

If nothing else, I would hope that aggies everywhere turn on that guy.

Still think he isn't full of it when he calls every job his "dream job"? That guy is after one thing and one thing only: money. Lucky for him, he has gotten a lot of it, because his time in aggietown should be coming to an end shortly.

[Pony in SA]

My Aggie doctor friend said the same thing, that from those he talks to his days are numbered unless he does the unthinkable and win the Big 12 and/or beat Texas again and OU.

[HorsePower]

So what happens if he lays an egg again — let's say he goes 3-9 — but one of those wins is against Texas (which, it should be pointed out, is not as good as usual)? Are the aggies so wrapped up in that one game that they'd conclude all is right with the world?

[EastStang]

If Fran beats the Whorns two years in a row, I say he keeps his job, until they lose to the Whorns. The Aggies are that wrapped up in that game. I think he could go 1-11 and keep his job, if he keeps beating the Whorns every year.

[LonghornFan68]

If Fran beats the Whorns two years in a row, I say he keeps his job, until they lose to the Whorns. The Aggies are that wrapped up in that game. I think he could go 1-11 and keep his job, if he keeps beating the Whorns every year.

Uh, Aggy lost to the "whorns" 6 years in a row. 1 win out of 7 doesn't exactly constitute a good streak. So you're saying that since Aggy got lucky and squeaked out a win that losing to the likes of Baylor and a BAAAD Miami team all of a sudden everything is forgiven (and let's not forget 77-0 with the clock running continuously in the 4th quarter).

One thing's for sure, Aggy is going to have a tough time beating the dregs of the Big XII this year, much less Texas and OU (whom Fran has never beaten at Aggy). But, yeah, please, keep him there. He's good for Texas' recruiting. And hell, I'd be happy to throw them one a decade if it keeps Fran in College Station.

[CalallenStang]

Uh, Aggy lost to the "whorns" 6 years in a row. I win out of 7 doesn't exactly constitute a good streak. So you're saying that since Aggy got lucky and squeaked out a win that losing to the likes of Baylor and a BAAAD Miami team all of a sudden everything is forgiven (and let's not forget 77-0 with the clock running continuously in the 4th quarter).

You forget that this is A&M we are talking about. Not much brainpower out there.

[Pony in SA]

Good points all, but my question really was is it some type of NCAA violation to solicit money from boosters in exchange for inside information on "student athletes" ? Anyone know ??

[LonghornFan68]

Good points all, but my question really was is it some type of NCAA violation to solicit money from boosters in exchange for inside information on "student athletes" ? Anyone know ??

I can't imagine that it's not.

[SMU Football Blog]

I don't think there is anything wrong with it. I assume the information is info that could be made public; it just isn't made public without paying a fee. Unless it is information that is subject to privacy, such as the nature of an injury or "McGee is failing ag science." If there was recruiting information in the newsletter, it would still be subject to the same NCAA restrictions.

Basically, sounds like Fran has convinced the aggies to pay for things they should be getting for free. Either Fran is that smart or the Aggies are that dumb.

[Corso]

If he's selling this info and giving the cash to the Aggie Squaredancers Local Union No. 624, or whatever they call the aggie version of the Mustang Club, fine. If he's giving the money to another branch of the university, fine. If he's selling it and pocketing it, he should be fired today, because he would be circumventing the contract he signed with the university. He's being paid a hell of a lot of money to coach that team, and his contract includes payment from camps, a TV show, shoe contract - all kinds of things. The knowledge and information that he's selling is essentially university property as it is being used to prepare the team for each week's opponent, and he has no business selling it for personal profit.

[Pony in SA]

FYI -- Just noticed story finally picked up by MSN and ESPN. Wonder what / if there will now be additional fall out.

To no surprise he now apparently has offered to refund the money he charged the boosters. Bet legal counsel is involved.

[91Stang]

Bet his seat is a little warm down there, huh?
How did he possibly conclude that it was OK to pocket that cash?

[91Stang]

Just read the story on ESPN.com.

Franocchio and his caddy/lackey/personal assistant denied any personal financial benefit from the newsletters, saying only that the money was used to underwrite the cost of hosting the coach's personal website.

Some of you web guys out there please tell me: what's the cost of hosting a website? He's charging multiple boosters $1,200 per a year - EACH - in order to cover the costs of his site? That thing isn't exactly CNN.com. It's a pretty simplistic site with very basic, generic information. Previewing the Okie State game? Going through the participation chart from the Miami pounding? Stuff probably written by a couple of freshman journalism students?

No, I'm sure Fran and his caddy didn't pocket a dime after putting together that high-tech showcase.

Seriously, how did he think this was legal? He's even dumb for an Aggie.

[mrydel]

SMU Football Blog charged me $500 every time I read his blog. He even charged me when I re-read one. Didn't everyone else pay? If you did not, that is probably why he shut it down. I guess he could not survive on my payments alone.