Franchione reprimanded at Texas A&M

COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Dennis Franchione, Texas A&M football coach, has been told by officials to drop his controversial Web site.

The "VIP Connection" e-mail newsletters accepted subscribers for a yearly price of $1,200, and provided inside information about the Aggie program and player injuries.

The site's existence was initially revealed about a week ago, and was stopped Wednesday by Athletic Director Bill Byrne.

Byrne said he was "disappointed" and hoped the school avoids NCAA sanctions.

The instance "will be part of Franchione's year-end performance review," Byrne told reporters Thursday.

The newsletters were sent to subscribers by Franchione and his personal assistant, Mike McKenzie, for the last three years.

McKenzie has been fired by Byrne's order.

Byrne added as part of the self-reporting process to the NCAA, the Big 12 Conference school "will reflect the following corrective and punitive actions that have been, or will be taken as a result of this issue."