DENNIS FRANCHIONE RETIRES AFTER SEVEN SEASONS AT TEXAS STATE
“After meeting with Dr. (Larry) Teis last Tuesday and doing a thorough evaluation starting with myself, I have decided that it is time for me to retire from coaching,” Franchione said. “I have been blessed for 40 years in coaching the game I love – football! I have deep respect for the game and appreciate what it does for the development of young people.”
Franchione announces his retirement with a 213-135-2 career record and he led his teams to nine conference championships, nine bowl games, four NAIA playoff games and one NCAA Division II playoff.
“When we hired Dennis five years ago, we asked him to help us transition from FCS to FBS. We all knew this would be a challenging task. We also knew we needed someone who had coached at the highest level and could assist us as we made the move. His knowledge of the game and his respect on the national level showed other universities and conference commissioners we were committed to our football program,” said Dr. Denise Trauth, Texas State University President.
“Coach Franchione has been rock solid for this university and this football program. He had only two losing seasons in seven years of Division 1 football at Texas State. Since moving to Division 1 in 1984, coach Franchione has been the head coach for five of our 10 best years. His track record over the years proves he is one of the best ever to walk the sidelines in college football,” said Dr. Teis, Texas State’s Director of Athletics.
In his first two seasons at Texas State in 1990 and 1991, the Bobcats finished with 6-5 and 7-4 records, respectively. He returned to the school in 2011 to lead Texas State’s transition from the NCAA Division I FCS to the FBS.
In the Bobcats third season as an FBS member in the Sun Belt Conference, the team finished with a 3-9 overall record and 2-6 in conference play last year. After finishing the first year with a 6-6 record in 2013 and a 7-5 mark in 2014, the players and coaches had high expectations for this season. However, multiple injuries and a tough non-conference schedule that included two Top 25-ranked teams, contributed to a challenging season.
“I would like to also express my appreciation to Dr. Trauth, Dr. Teis, and our administration,” said Franchione. “They have elevated Texas State in so many ways and have been stalwarts in taking football from FCS to FBS.”
“Please let me say thanks to some people that have meant a great deal to me.”
“As a coach, I was fortunate to have outstanding teachers and mentors early in my career such as Jim Dickey, Jim Donnan, Gary Darnell, and Carl Selmer.”
“I also want to express my thanks to my family. First, my wife Kim, has been a “rock” in my life, a strong teammate, a best friend and a great wife. I have been so blessed to have her by my side for 38 years.
“My children, Ashley, Libby and Brad have been great supporters. My career has put them through a lot as coach’s kids and they have met every day with class.”
“The daily grind of running a football program has been enjoyable because of the assistant coaches, their wives, families and our support staff. For all of their support over the last 40 years and especially our tenure here at Texas State, let me say how much I appreciate them. A head coach in this game is only as good as his staff.”
“The supportive fans, alumni, and students at Texas State have been awesome. Thank you for your consistent support, positive comments, and for your attendance at the games supporting our players.”
“Finally, my heart and appreciation goes out to our football players at Texas State, and all of those I have been fortunate enough to coach during my career. I feel very strongly about what this game does for young people. I have always felt that the faculty prepare you for your career and I prepare players for life. My classroom has been the field and this game teaches so many life skills – teamwork, accountability, esprit de corps, sacrifice, work ethic, dedication, handling setbacks and success, on and on.”
Texas State will immediately begin a national search for a new football coach with the assistance of Parker Executive Search, one the leading search firms in the country.
