November 12, 2006
Coach Fran getting more heat at Texas A&M
Kevin Sherrington of the Dallas Morning News says it best: It's getting harder to defend Coach Fran.
Of course, the Aggies probably should be used to it. Losses to Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Nebraska have been by a total of six points, with all three games decided in the last minutes.
You suppose there's a silver lining in there somewhere. They were in a position to win all three.But that's not how Aggies will remember them. They're not looking for moral victories, nor should they.
Franchione isn't paid $2 million a year to keep it close. He's got to beat the teams on his level, and he hasn't.
He's now 2-10 in November and 0-9 against Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas.
Prediction: His record isn't going to get any better at Thanksgiving.
The Aggies are likely going to end up in the Holiday Bowl with an 8-4 record, but that will do little to brunt the criticism if Coach Fran pulls another 0-fer this year for the Tech, Texas, OU trifecta. After last season we talked about the firing of the DC being Coach Fran's get out of jail free card.
I'm not sure there are any free passes left for Fran at A&M.
Comments:
milevin said:
posted on November 12, 2006 2:49 PM — 72.26.145.72 — link — abuse?
Do not focus solely on the close loses, focus on the wins like Army and Oklahoma State. Those games could have gone against the Aggies.
If Nebraska beats Texas or (gasp) OU in the Big 12 championship game, then the Cornhuskers will go to a BCS game, not the Cotton Bowl.
JB said:
posted on November 13, 2006 12:10 PM — 12.108.132.99 — link — abuse?
Texas football teams are the best in the world! Nothing better . . . . except Big 12 North Nebraska and Kansas State! But other than that there's nothing better than all those Texas kids that grow up to play for the Texas universities. Whoops! Forgot Ohio State. But then there is nothing better after that!
paulwesterdawg said:
posted on November 13, 2006 6:05 PM — 209.168.243.49 — link — abuse?
Don't forget the Gator Bowl has the option to take a Big 12 team twice every 4 years starting this year.
If WVU gets an at-large birth in the BCS, the Gator would be very tempted to take Nebraska. That could set up a rematch of either the '81 or '91 national title games against Clemson or Georgia Tech.
That would give TAMU a chance to move up to the Holiday Bowl.
Coach Fran sucks, but without a University President thanks to Rumsfeld's retirement....who has the power to fire him?
PWD
Aggie said:
posted on November 13, 2006 10:24 PM — 209.189.246.37 — link — abuse?
Who has the power to fire him?
Well I would say:
a. whoever replaces Gates
b. the board of regents
c. the boosters who provide so much money for the program
d. the athletic director
All of the above parties have a pretty good say in who stays and who goes.Ryan said:
posted on November 14, 2006 9:45 AM — 66.69.236.159 — link — abuse?
Aggies in the Alamo bowl after they lose to Texas - we've all seen the longhorns record coming off of a loss, they will roll in this game in Austin.
Unless the aggies can (with luck) pull a pretty decent opponent AND roll over that opponent, Fran will keep his job with an Isiah Thomas-type of condition - win or else. Anything short of that and I think he's gone.
The aggies are very close to "the next step", I just don't have faith in Coach Fran.
Check out my blog if you're interested in other takes around Big 12:
Relunctant supporter said:
posted on November 14, 2006 1:10 PM — 216.136.92.2 — link — abuse?
I am as frustrated as any Aggie with Coach Fran, but I am reluctant to fire him. And it is for the worst reason. I don't want to give the Bama fans the satisfaction. Bama has sucked since he left and they have whined since he left. They havent' beaten Auburn since 2001 under Fran and now they are losing to Mississippi State. They are bitter, I want to be hopeful.
AgGB said:
posted on November 14, 2006 2:52 PM — 66.76.55.152 — link — abuse?
Aggie - bryne has said that he's not going to fire fran for another 2 seasons. HOWEVER, if we get a new president with any sense, he'll override that decision and might even oust byrne, who has done some good things for some other aggie sports (basketball and women's soccer) but cant get past his man-crush on fran enough to fire his sorry a$$.
since hiring fran, we've beaten ttu once, never beaten texas, never beaten ou, never beaten nebraska, lost to baylor, had a losing record last season. overall his record at a&m is right around .500...that is below mediocre and for the amount of money that we former students send in and the amount of fan support that our football program receives at games and from jersey and t-shirt sales, etc. there is no reason why we should be even mediocre. we should have a winning season every year. perhaps a .500 or so record against texas, ou, and nebraska over a four year period might possibly be acceptable b/c we have to beat each other up every year on the football field and somebody has to lose those games. but we should not lose to baylor, we should rarely if ever lose to tech.
that being said, i dont think there's any way that byrne can go another 2 years with fran at the helm. maybe 1 more year, but if it's not a winning season AND if we dont beat 3 of the 4 - ttu, nebraska, texas, ou, then byrne will be risking his own job, not just fran's. and if you've seen our schedule for next year, i dont think byrne should hang his hat on winning a lot behind fran next year.
i think the idea was to get a cupcake schedule this year to build confidence and then a tough schedule next year to prove to the nation that we're the real deal. except we didnt do that well in our cupcake season.
there is one good reason for losing the last two games. coaching. it has become evident and quite clear on a national stage both times. the ou game came down to a 3rd and goal on the 2 with j. lane on your side. fran called a passing play. it failed. we kicked a field goal. THEN against nebraska, we had a 3rd and 2 from the 3 and fran called a passing play AGAIN only this time it was from a shotgun formation (not even trying to fool anyone). it didnt work AGAIN and we had to settle for a field goal AGAIN. Aggies dont normally boo, but fran nearly got booed out of the stadium for that decision. got to give it to nebraska for their stellar comeback performance, but their last drive should have been one to put them within 3 points and it should have been a 90+ yrd drive.
that's the sentiments in college station about fran and i'll be relatively surprised to see him wearing maroon next season. i'll be completely shocked to see him back in '08. i also would not be shocked to see byrne take a hike sometime in the next two years as well.
AgGB said:
posted on November 15, 2006 2:21 PM — 66.76.55.152 — link — abuse?
"...but it isn't all his fault he doesn't always get the best talent."
that's part of developing a football program. you have to be able to do the things that allow you to recruit and sign talent. and once it gets there you have to know what to do with it.
Ol'Army said:
posted on November 15, 2006 6:27 PM — 70.240.229.89 — link — abuse?
Coach Fran is not Aggie football material (or the top 10 reasons why Coach Fran must go):
1. He lacks emotion and passion for the game. Sounds like a whipped pup during most of his interviews after a loss. Shows no emotion on sideline except for an occasional smirk when there is a bad call or a bad play.
2. He lacks the guts to make tough and right play calls with confidence in his team to win.
3. He lacks time management abilities during critical periods of the game.
4. He tries to outsmart and outthink himself which just gets him into trouble on the field. Other head coaches must love this about him because it is so predictable.
5. He lacks the ability to teach disciplined football to the players. There are too many stupid mistakes being made like 12 men on the field at one time on 4th down.
6. He wears that huge bowl game ring that he did not earn at Texas A&M. Who is he trying to impress? When he wins one at Texas A&M, then he can wear a ring he can be proud of.
7. He depends too much on Junior College transfers in his recruiting.
8. He has to wear glasses to see the football field.
9. He is one of the few head coaches who uses a clip board to remind himself of the plays to call.
10. He is not worth $2 million a year.
Ol'Army said:
posted on November 15, 2006 6:30 PM — 70.240.229.89 — link — abuse?
Coach Fran is not Aggie football material (or the top 10 reasons why Coach Fran must go):
1. He lacks emotion and passion for the game. Sounds like a whipped pup during most of his interviews after a loss. Shows no emotion on sideline except for an occasional smirk when there is a bad call or a bad play.
2. He lacks the guts to make tough and right play calls with confidence in his team to win.
3. He lacks time management abilities during critical periods of the game.
4. He tries to outsmart and outthink himself which just gets him into trouble on the field. Other head coaches must love this about him because it is so predictable.
5. He lacks the ability to teach disiplined football to the players.
6. He wears that huge bowl game ring that he did not earn at Texas A&M. Who is he trying to impress? When he wins one at Texas A&M, then he can wear a ring he can be proud of.
7. He depends too much on Junior College transfers in his recruiting.
8. He has to wear glasses to see the football field.
9. He is one of the few head coaches who uses a clip board to remind himself of the plays to call.
10. He is not worth $2 million a year.
AgGB said:
posted on November 16, 2006 3:24 PM — 66.76.55.152 — link — abuse?
here's a few more reasons why he should not be allowed to wear maroon
1. 77-0
2. lost to BAYLOR in 2004
3. 1-10 against ou, tu, and tech in the last 3 yrs
4. 3-7 against ranked opponents in the last 3 yrs
5. lost drew tate right after rc left
6. left alabama before the end of the seasonRyan said:
posted on November 16, 2006 3:30 PM — 192.18.43.10 — link — abuse?
Not an aggie fan, but I'm still scratching my head as to why they brought in a coach known for building a mid-tier program from nothing to pretty good??? You're Texas A&M and you were coming off of a 8-4 or 8-3 season. It was a bad choice from the get-go.
Here's the million dollar question Aggie fans - who do you go and get to replace Fran? I think John L. Smith is looking for a job :)
Reluctant supporter said:
posted on November 16, 2006 4:36 PM — 216.136.92.2 — link — abuse?
Ryan,
In Slocum's last four years at A&M he went 3-10 against the big four (UT, OU, TECH, and NU). One win came over Texas post bonfire tragedy in '99, one win against OU with an unknown Reggie McNeal who surprised an OU defense that gameplanned for Dusty Long, and one win against Tech in Mike Leach's first season. In these same four years, Slocum lost 7 home games, including a losing home stand in 2002 with four home losses. That final season, A&M went 6-6, so we weren't trying to improve an 8-4 team. Also, after Slocum's final season he had two or three players go in the first two rounds of the NFL draft so he had the talent to do better than .500.
Now, in Fran's first four years he is 1-12 against the big four (last game pending) and also has 7 home losses, but no home losing seasons.
When we fired Slocum we knew Slocum had reached his pinnacle - and we wanted to do better. The question now is whether this is the best we are going to get from Fran, or can he do better?
AgGB said:
posted on November 17, 2006 11:19 AM — 66.76.55.152 — link — abuse?
what about tommy tuberville? i've heard rumors that there might be some friction in the relationship between auburn and him. he seems to be a pretty good gamer. he's won 8 of 9 against top 10 opponents since 2004. auburn went 13-0 in 2003. could he be a possible replacement? if so, could he be a good match for A&M?
Reluctant supporter said:
posted on November 17, 2006 1:30 PM — 216.136.92.2 — link — abuse?
AgGB, Funny you bring up Tubberville. If you check out some of the Bama blogs that is exactly what they want. They want A&M to hire Tubby (as they call him) out of Auburn. That gives Bama fans a 2-fer: Fran fired, rival coach gone. Realistically, though, Tubberville makes more money at Auburn, so A&M would have to up the ante, plus the big buyout to lose Fran. That is a lot of change. But there is no doubt Tubberville has done well for Auburn.
Tomcat said:
posted on November 18, 2006 11:18 AM — 68.90.182.52 — link — abuse?
#16 and #17 You have many valid points.
A&M is what about 6 points from being undefeated.
After R.C. Slokum left the Aggs went from what ?
was it 6-6 or 8-4 to 4-8? You figure that every coach needs a few years to put a program together.
Fran has had his few years.Coach Patterson-TCU would be a good choice for the Aggs.He was the secret to Frans sucess at TCU.
If A&M wins in Austin Fran Stays
If A&M losses in Austin Fran Goes
After watching the Army game, I was really impressed by the A&M players, not coaches. The boys played hard and the coaches almost cost them that one. The TTech game was a well played game,except for clock manegment. The OU game was the most disasterous attempt at coaching that I have ever witnessed. Good luck in your future
Hookem-Horns bring back R.C.Ol'Army said:
posted on November 18, 2006 7:47 PM — 70.240.231.162 — link — abuse?
The Aggie football players deserve all the credit for the wins this year. They are playing their hearts out in spite of bad coaching (see item 16 and 17 above).
If the Aggies beat tu, then Coach Fran has probably bought himself another year. However, so far Coach Fran has not demonstrated the heart or the ability it takes to be a winner at TAMU.
So he took the player names off the jerseys for a couple of years until the team earned the right to wear them again.....well how about Coach Fran leaving his big gaudy bowl ring at home until he earns the right to wear one won at A&M?Coach Fran is to A&M as Mackovic was to tu....which begs the question once asked of Coach Mac (a similar style and want to be great) ex-football coach and (least we forget) wine connoisseur of tu...."Which white wine goes best after you've just received an old fashion butt kicking on the football field?"
Let's hope the Aggie football players continue to play their hearts out and beat tu this week. They deserve the win after what they have had to put up with in the way of bad coaching.
Regardless of the outcome, Coach Fran needs to go.
AgGB said:
posted on November 20, 2006 3:45 PM — 66.76.55.152 — link — abuse?
IF d.f. is back next year it should be under clear stipulations. i would go as far as to say that if he comes back, he should have to win at least 11 games and the big XII title or he's out on the street. no 'thanks for being our coach' cushy job like rc got when he was canned. i'm tired of waiting to roll out the basketballs - which by the way, just you wait until they do roll out the basketballs, Billy G's got them boys ready to wreck some shop.
OU-Ron said:
posted on November 20, 2006 5:04 PM — 216.201.209.146 — link — abuse?
I don't know if coach Fran should stay or go. However, I do know that A&M should have won both OU and Nebraska. If Fran makes the right call on 3rd and two in both games--A&M wins---go with the TRAIN. I can only hope he makes the right call this this week--BEAT HELL OUT OF TEXAS--GO OU
Diamus said:
posted on November 21, 2006 12:03 AM — 74.192.215.119 — link — abuse?
Who do we replace fran with? anyone really. But lets start with Gary Kubiak, who (mistake me if im wrong) has a clause in his contract that says if A&M offers him a job he can get out of his contract and take the offer. Then there's Tuberville at Auburn who is up for a new contract.
txlonghorn86 said:
posted on November 23, 2006 4:01 AM — 72.48.146.223 — link — abuse?
There are two reasons aggie football is down this year. One, Dennis the Menace. Two, the heart and soul leaders of the football team, Stephen McGee and J-Train. I agree with so many reasons why Coach Fran needs to go, especially the OU game where he displayed his genius on the game of football( a field goal is worth 3 points). But if you have a coach making the dumbest calls on the field, and not giving the team, the hard working players, a CHANCE to win the game, the leaders of the teams need to step up and say screw it, we're going for it. Vince Young did it at Texas, Troy Smith is doing it at OSU, even quiet boy Chad Henne has at least given his opinion to Loyd Carr. Stephen a Javorski need to open their mouths, and tell then coaching staff this is how its got to be. THey much do it for thier teamates who have worked too hard to let a game like TT, OU and Nebraska slip away. By the way, DC from Texas would be a great fit. Fran needs to go, and that team needs to belong to Stephen.
spoon said:
posted on November 23, 2006 8:27 PM — 66.0.32.4 — link — abuse?
Auburn has tryed to fire Tuberville and the plan back fired.
Now they keep Tuberville for stability in the program and have the highest paid assistants in the country. If they could fire tuberville and keep stability in the program they would.Ag84 said:
posted on November 23, 2006 11:45 PM — 69.149.171.44 — link — abuse?
RC, how 'bout Jackie Sherrill. Let's face it, he was the one that really put the Aggies back on the map. I remember the good ole days when we would come back in the second half. Hire RC as defensive coordinate and bring back the real Wrecking Crew.
Gig' Em
Agijud said:
posted on November 23, 2006 11:53 PM — 71.224.50.243 — link — abuse?
From an Old Ag (class of '90), here's what I see. I'm living up in PA now. The fact that Comcast has taken 2 nationally televised games this year and elected to go regional (once even choosing a high school play off game) instead of showing Texas A&M says a lot about the interest level for TAMU football right now. I have written letters and have ultimately had to pay for most games this year. Two games were not even offered on PPV. Sickening!
We need someone who will come in, bring back the TRUE Wrecking Crew, bring back the real 12th Man Kick Off Team, and bring back the pride and awe of Texas A&M Football.
I got a chance to go to the Missouri game this year and they celebrated 20 years since the 1986 team. They brought old players onto the field and brought on Jackie Sherrill. The fans were chanting, "Come back Jackie!" I don't know about Sherrill, but someone like him that can rally the entire university around their team is what we need.
I'll ALWAYS support my boys on the field, but the coaching this year has been horrendous! There's absolutely no excuse for that!
Peter said:
posted on November 26, 2006 8:33 PM — 66.174.92.162 — link — abuse?
You guys kill me. This year, we beat t.u. We came a minute and 29 yards from beating OU. We came seconds away from beating Tech and a re-born Nebraska team. A&M is 6 points from being undefeated this year. Now, I don't know what you guys were watching over the last years, but t.u. and OU have had outstanding teams. Tech has had our number for a while now. When Coach Fran got to College Station, he and his coaches looked up and down the O and D Lines and saw players who had less muscle weight on average than virtually all other contender teams. Facilities have continued to improve over the past 4-8 years. t.u. and other national programs were out-recruiting A&M. Now, I love Jackie, but he was run out of town, remember? And I really liked Slocum, but we were all hollering for him to be fired, remember? He was an awesome defensive coach, but we all remember how predictable our offense was. A&M dominated the SWC in those last 11 years, but couldn't beat the Notre Dames and Florida States back then. Meanwhile, the Big 12 teams are using spread offenses and have had to adapt on defense. I think our new defensive coaches have done an outstanding job; and on offense they've come close to beating some top notch teams (see above). I'm very optimistic about the future. I think we should put our support behind him and his staff.
allen greenwood said:
posted on December 29, 2006 9:21 AM — 205.188.116.133 — link — abuse?
where is john david crow????????????
you better get off your fran bench and recruit,hire, buy the NY coaching program before alabama does. the ags deserve better. fran, you and the rest of your uncoaches are fired.
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dain said:
posted on November 12, 2006 12:56 PM — 24.27.154.102 — link — abuse?I dont think that they are going to the holiday bowl...texas will go to the fiesta then oklahoma to cotton...nebraska to the holiday and then TA&M to the alamo.