Updated: November 5, 2007, 2:29 PM ET
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Dennis Franchione's days as the head coach at Texas A&M appear to be numbered.
Texas A&M is talking about buying out Franchione's contract, sources have told ESPN college football analyst Andre Ware.
Franchione has been in hot water with the university for a newsletter he was sending out to donors willing to pay $1,200 for inside information. In mid-October, Texas A&M officials admonished Franchione for his secretive, for-pay newsletter and said the embarrassing episode would be a factor in deciding whether he returns next season.
The school said it would report the results of an internal investigation to the NCAA because of possible rules violations, and Franchione was ordered to shut down his Web site, CoachFran.com. He also will receive a "letter of admonishment."
"The Aggies are embarrassed right now," athletic director Bob Byrne said in October. "This has been a very unfortunate incident we do not want to experience again."
Franchione, who came to Texas A&M from Alabama in 2003. He's 31-27 overall with the Aggies. He also coached at TCU and New Mexico.
Texas A&M is reportedly researching whether Franchione violated his contract with the income he received from the newsletter. If he is found in violation of the contract, the Aggies may not have to pay the coach anything upon firing him.
Franchione's contract pays him $2 million per season and runs through 2012. A buyout will be $141,667 per month for the remainder of the contract, or about $8 million. Ware reported Monday that Texas A&M is looking for a buyout in the $2 million range.
Ware reported that Texas A&M wants to talk to Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville for a potential vacancy. He reported that the school is working with Chuck Neinas, who runs a consulting firm specializing in hiring coaches.
Texas A&M is 6-4 this season heading into a game at Missouri on Saturday.
I think Tuberville will be the next coach. When asked about it, Tuberville said he wasn't going to spend the next two weeks talking about it. This as opposed to a denial. At the very least, he's in talks with us or has plans to. Doubt he is just lobbying Auburn for a raise.
This is funny. Went to texfags.com.
Forums :: A&M Football :: 13,251 Visitors on TexAgs @ 3:00PM CT
Jsc810 wrote:Hmmmm, would Tommy T leave Auburn for TAM?
I don't think so.
I didn't think so either. Its like Fran knew he was a farce when he was at Alabama, saw a shot for more money at A&M and ran. I was kind of surprised A&M had the pull to woo someone from Alabama. I don't know if that will happen again.
i hear he's going to finish out the season. (please lord, its nice seeing Fran on other side)
Do ya really want Tubberville? Is he going to get the 5 star kids OU and Tejas are hoarding? I doubt it, you need someone with Ties to area and someone with a pedigree, wether its short or still building. Want PInkel?
Why Pinkel?
Recruits Tejas well, finds the diamonds in the rough yearly out of tejas.
Taken MU to its first shot at a BCS bowl
Would bring the Spread and some Excitement to that offense
He would look great in crimson and white
The tigers already tried to get rid of Tommy T once.
Maybe Tommy T will return the favor
Bingo, you can't tell me that hasn't stuck in Tuberville's craw. He remembers how they basically tried to hire Petrino behind his back. I'm thinking that killed a significant amount of loyalty to Auburn.
Besides, with Muschamp in the bullpen and likely to bolt for a HC-job elsewhere if Tuberville stays I don't know if Auburn will put up a big fight to keep Tommy.
You gonna bark all day little doggie or are you gonna bite?
I think Tuberville would leave Auburn for multiple reasons.
One, which has been pointed out already, is the Petrino incident. He got kicked in the nuts before and knows a slightly sub-par year it can happen again. He can got to A&M and get PAID and have 5 sub-par years before getting canned (see exhibit 1: Fran).
Two, Saban has stolen a LOT of his thunder in his own state. Saban is a hell of a coach and a hell of a recruiter. He has already made the Tide king ding-a-ling in Bama.
Three, the plethora of other great coaches in the conference is a LOT to compete against. Meyer is getting his pick of the litter. Miles the same.
The only thing I think that would make A&M hesitate is the buyout of both Fran and Tuberville. A&M owes Fran 8 million. Initial talks offered 1.9 million. However, if Fran was found to be in breach with NewsletterGate, then he may get nothing. In that case, the 6 mil buyout for Tuberville may be stomachable for the Aggie brass.
As for me? I could care less who we bring is as long as we begin winning. Competeing with t.u. and OU will always be an obstacle. However, we pull in better recruits than taco tceh yet they consistently beat us. So, while recruiting is very important, it isn't the only thing.
As for the t.u. game, Harv, I'm hoping the Ags come out and win one for the lame duck. I do think Fran cares about A&M. I think it bothers him badly that he has failed. It does not excuse him though. I wish him well in the future and harbor no ill will towards him. He's just not the right fit for us. To be honest, I was a bit jealous seeing Mack go ape shit in that video posted. Fran's conssitent poker face on the sideline just made me sick.
