Topic: Dennis Franchione

Dennis Wayne Franchione (born March 28, 1951 in Girard, Kansas), also known as Coach Fran, is a former college football coach. He was most recently the head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies football team. In his 23 seasons as head coach, Franchione has won eight conference championships and one divisional crown. He currently serves as a color commentator for ESPN Radio.

Franchione received his Bachelor of Arts in 1973 from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. Franchione and his wife, the former Kim Kraus, began dating after he took her on a tour of his alma mater, Pittsburg State University, at the request of her father. They married shortly after, in 1977. The couple have two daughters, Elizabeth Ann and Ashley Renee. Franchione also has a son, Brad Franchione from a previous marriage, who is the head football coach at Blinn College. Brad and his wife, Rebecca, have three children.

After graduating from Pittsburg State, Franchione served as the head football coach at Miller High School in Miller, Missouri from 1973–74. He then served as an assistant coach at Mulvane High School in Mulvane, Kansas in 1975. From 1976–77, he served as the head coach at Peabody High School in Peabody, Kansas. In 1978, Franchione was hired to be an assistant coach at Kansas State University, a position he would hold until he was hired to be the head coach at Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas in 1981. During his two years at Southwestern, he led the team to a 14-4-2 record, a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference title, and a Sunflower Bowl win. His 9 wins in 1982 tied the school record and was Southwestern's most since 1967.