Coach Franchione

[SmooBoy]

The thing I wonder about with Fran is that his attitude if he took the job will be "been there, done that" (New Mexico and TCU). Its well documented that he has a high opinion of himself and I bet he feels like he has nothing to prove. Would he just come here to put an additional $1M+ in his pocket each year before he retires (he is 60) and not put his heart and soul into the job?

I could see where at the first sign of obstacles, he would just quit and not fight the good fight (basically what Copeland did).

Would he just be collecting a check until he retires?

I agree but with this job, he would have a TON to prove. 20 years of losing does that. Whomever can turn this thing around makes the team THE story of the college football season and ensures himself an immediate look from other schools.

Of course the downside remains intact as well.

[Billy Joe]

Fran leaving Alabama may have been questionable but Alabama is not used to coaches leaving them for 'better jobs'. I thought it was great when he walked out on Alabama and those pompas jerks. I am not sure Alabama was as forthcoming with him about the probation, etc. Look at Saban and the way he screwed the Dolphins around and Alabama did not hesitate to hire him. Screw Alabama.

[friarwolf]

A guy who hasn't coached in 10 years, Barnett left his players at Northwestern to go to Colorado, and Nutt had that little issue with some of his highly recruited players last year who had some choice things to say about him personally...........

Point is, we aren't the bell of the ball who can be picky as to whether someone has a flaw and if any, and I emphasize any, of these guys come here, we all need to do the Snoopy dance out in the street.

[FWMustang]

He had to have known going to Bama. If not, then he's just a dumba$$, and we still shouldn't hire him.

Shady or stupid? I'm not buying, "Well, golly jeepers, Mr. Wilson. They didn't tell me that."

[Billy Joe]

Whoever does the Snoopy dance better be really drunk!

[friarwolf]

The thing I wonder about with Fran is that his attitude if he took the job will be "been there, done that" (New Mexico and TCU). Its well documented that he has a high opinion of himself and I bet he feels like he has nothing to prove. Would he just come here to put an additional $1M+ in his pocket each year before he retires (he is 60) and not put his heart and soul into the job?

I could see where at the first sign of obstacles, he would just quit and not fight the good fight (basically what Copeland did).

Would he just be collecting a check until he retires?

He is 56, not 60.................

[friarwolf]

Whoever does the Snoopy dance better be really drunk!

Brutha, if we are lucky enough to land someone like Fran or Nutt, we need to all meet on the boulevard, get wasted, and Snoopy dance our aces off............

[PonySoprano]

The thing I wonder about with Fran is that his attitude if he took the job will be "been there, done that" (New Mexico and TCU). Its well documented that he has a high opinion of himself and I bet he feels like he has nothing to prove. Would he just come here to put an additional $1M+ in his pocket each year before he retires (he is 60) and not put his heart and soul into the job?

I could see where at the first sign of obstacles, he would just quit and not fight the good fight (basically what Copeland did).

Would he just be collecting a check until he retires?

He is 56, not 60.................

Semantics. . .my point is that at 56 and above, along with plenty of money in his pocket, does he really have the drive and stomach to do everything that it will take to rebuild this mess of a program (e.g., fight for improved transfer policies, etc.)

[mrydel]

The thing I wonder about with Fran is that his attitude if he took the job will be "been there, done that" (New Mexico and TCU). Its well documented that he has a high opinion of himself and I bet he feels like he has nothing to prove. Would he just come here to put an additional $1M+ in his pocket each year before he retires (he is 60) and not put his heart and soul into the job?

I could see where at the first sign of obstacles, he would just quit and not fight the good fight (basically what Copeland did).

Would he just be collecting a check until he retires?

He is 56, not 60.................

Semantics. . .my point is that at 56 and above, along with plenty of money in his pocket, does he really have the drive and stomach to do everything that it will take to rebuild this mess of a program (e.g., fight for improved transfer policies, etc.)

yes

[KnuckleStang]

Whoever does the Snoopy dance better be really drunk!

Brutha, if we are lucky enough to land someone like Fran or Nutt, we need to all meet on the boulevard, get wasted, and Snoopy dance our aces off............

I prefer to jump around like a drunk birthday party clown, but I agree with you.

[mustang91]

It's well known Fran left Alambama because Bama was not as up front about the degree of cheating that went on previous to his arrival. TAM was one of a few schools in his contract that he could leave to go to with no penalty. Can you really blame the guy? I know a lot of Aggies and none of them like Fran. Why, because they all have this delusional idea TAM should be a top 5 team every year playing for a national championship. It's unrealistic expectations for any coach. Fran was fired from TAM and problably a month ago. They told him politely we don't want you back, here's $3 million to resign at the end of the season. He was told to have a statement ready at the post game press confrence on Friday. I doubt it was his choice, hence his walking out on the AD's statement.

His W/L record previous to TAM speaks for himself. Last year he was one game from winning 10. This year he lost to Miami in Miami, I now they're down put could still beat a lot of good teams any given day. Lost to the Sand Aggies as did Oklahoma, lost to Kansas and Mizzou. Knowing what we know now those are pretty good teams less Miami.

Let's face it guys if he is our man he's a huge upgrade from Bennett. To the people who say he's a douch bag, so what? I never heard any of my TCU friends call him that while he was there. It's always after a guy leaves he gets called the "[deleted] bag." By the way Stallion is right he can recruit his [deleted] off.

BIG BIG UPGRADE!!!

[RGV Pony]

I'm thinking about what was said at his resignation PC...whomever posted about it here said that Byrne said following an investigation Fran was "cleared of wrongdoing" and Byrne is comfortable with knowing that Fran didn't "intentionally do anything wrong."

Is it possible these things were said as part of a deal Fran made w/ Byrne so that it would assuage the folks on the Hilltop who are going to frown on the 'baggage'? I mean, can't Orsini now say "well Fran was cleared of any wrongdoing, so that's good enough by me, so welcome aboard.

I just hope that at the PC, Fran doesn't walk up to the podium and say "Howdy!"

[SMUMan02]

We already know his ego is too big for the Metroplex.

Is there something personal about Fran you would like to share?

Living in FW, I've heard quite a few stories about the guy, a lot from people not even tied to TCU, and none of them indicate that he's anyone I want to see coaching the Ponies. As I said, I hope I'm wrong. His record is not all he claims it is and he's, to use one of the favorite PF.com colloquialisms, a [deleted].

Fran would keep me from ever watching another game SMU plays. Look at his records - he hasn't been that successful and when he has been he immediately leaves to go to a bigger program. I think he's a sorry opportunist and I don't want to be a pawn for him to use.

[SMUMan02]

Fran leaving Alabama may have been questionable but Alabama is not used to coaches leaving them for 'better jobs'. I thought it was great when he walked out on Alabama and those pompas jerks. I am not sure Alabama was as forthcoming with him about the probation, etc. Look at Saban and the way he screwed the Dolphins around and Alabama did not hesitate to hire him. Screw Alabama.

As the holder of an Alabama degree, it is difficult for me to dispute this. I have never been really clear on what Fran knew and when he knew it. The only problem I have with him is that he insisted to his players that he was coming back. In less than 24 hours he was on a plane to TAMU without a word to the players. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't think it is customary for a coach to quit without talking with players. If we are content to be used by him, go ahead and hire him.

[mustang91]

Fran leaving Alabama may have been questionable but Alabama is not used to coaches leaving them for 'better jobs'. I thought it was great when he walked out on Alabama and those pompas jerks. I am not sure Alabama was as forthcoming with him about the probation, etc. Look at Saban and the way he screwed the Dolphins around and Alabama did not hesitate to hire him. Screw Alabama.

As the holder of an Alabama degree, it is difficult for me to dispute this. I have never been really clear on what Fran knew and when he knew it. The only problem I have with him is that he insisted to his players that he was coming back. In less than 24 hours he was on a plane to TAMU without a word to the players. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I don't think it is customary for a coach to quit without talking with players. If we are content to be used by him, go ahead and hire him.

SMUMAN, that's true and a good point. But he's still an upgrade.