October 11, 2007
A&M shuts down CoachFran.com
Texas A&M has told football head coach Dennis Franchione that he has to shut down his website, CoachFran.com, in the wake of the insider email embroilio.
In addition to shutting the website, A&M has issued a "letter of admonishment" to Franchione.
A&M conducted an internal investigation of the insider email incident and has issued a full release of it's findings as well as the entire list of boosters who subscribed to Franchione's email. A&M has also posted all of the private newsletters online for full disclosure and review.
Among the findings:
- Franchione was contractually required to report income from his website, CoachFran.com, but did not. Texas A&M University will report this as a violation to the NCAA.
- Franchione should not have disclosed injury information in private via the email list. Texas A&M University will report this as a violation to the NCAA.
- Franchione violated the principles of sportsmanship by commenting on Big XII officiating in an April 2007 email to the list
In addition to the above issues that will be reported to the NCAA and Big 12 Conference, the institution has reviewed several additional concerns and determined that violations have not occurred in the following areas.
Also,
Sports Wagering. Dennis Franchione and Mike McKenzie never had any knowledge of any of the recipients of the "VIP Connection" being involved in sports wagering activities. Therefore, based on available information, and in consultation with the NCAA membership services staff, Texas A&M does not believe any violation of NCAA Bylaw 10.3 has occurred.
Coaching Staff Limitations. Dennis Franchione and Mike McKenzie have both stated that Mike McKenzie was not contributing to the decisions of what plays to run, his attendance at play scripting meetings was for primarily personal enjoyment and would also provide insight to Mike for reporting to members of the "VIP Connection." Given the facts presented through the available information, the NCAA membership services staff determined that no violation must be reported.
Closed Bowl Game Practices. Information provided to recipients of the "VIP Connection" related to practices sessions in preparation for the 2005 Cotton Bowl was inaccurate. The institution reviewed its plan for practices with the NCAA membership services staff prior to the Cotton Bowl practices and conducted activities consistent with that guidance by opening the practice sessions to the general public.
List of Known Recipients of the "VIP Connection."
It should be noted that some of the recipients were not paying subscribers and not all listed recipients have been recipients for the entire duration of the e-mails. Additionally, four subscribers to the "VIP Connection" have not responded to requests made by the institution or Seriously Clued Consulting.Neal Adams
Michael Burrichter
Michael Champine
Joe Clark
Ashley Franchione
Kim Franchione
Glenn Hart
Fred Heldenfels
Jerry Holditch
Stormy Kimrey (Subscription Ended October 2006)
David LeBoeuf
Jim Lind
Jack E. Little
Bob Lynch
C. John Mace (Subscription Ended June 2007)
Miles Marks
Charlie Mattei (Subscription Ended December 2006)
Artie McFerrin
Jeff McFerrin
Buppy Simank
Greg Walton
Dale Watts
Charles Wiseman
Comments:
posted on October 11, 2007 2:18 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue
said:
I think that is one of the reasons A&M was **so** nervous, because this is EXACTLY the sort of detailed information that got UNLV burned years back. (Obviously not through email newsletters, but... you know what I'm saying).
It is IMPOSSIBLE to know how this information was/could be used, and that's EXACTLY why A&M acted.
TE
posted on October 11, 2007 3:13 PM — 204.68.245.11 — link — abuse? said:
Kev,
From what I've heard, Tx A&M actually gave him the okay back in the day...He vetted it completely to them beforehand, and a few Ag fans are saying it was held off on merely to give Fran enough rope with which to hang himself with...
Texas A&M...Man...That place fell apart faster than a doublewide in a tornado, huh guys? Sorta like Fran's coaching career...
Jon said:
posted on October 11, 2007 9:39 PM — 68.84.19.20 — link — abuse?
Franchione was contractually required to report income from his website, CoachFran.com, but did not. Texas A&M University will report this as a violation to the NCAA.
This is going to end up being a wash. Between administering the website and paying for hosting, I'd bet they never netted any profit (and most likely incurred a loss).
Franchione should not have disclosed injury information in private via the email list. Texas A&M University will report this as a violation to the NCAA.
This is something else I'd be willing to bet is irrelevant if he also made the same information publicly available.
- Franchione violated the principles of sportsmanship by commenting on Big XII officiating in an April 2007 email to the list
Pff.
IMHO, unless more information is revealed, this "evidence"/crap is irrelevant. It seems like they are trying to artificially create a negative public backlash so they can fire him.
Big Tide said:
posted on October 11, 2007 9:44 PM — 12.208.88.211 — link — abuse?
What a joke. Coach Fran can kiss my Crimson ass and what the hell is Seriously Clued Consulting? If that doesn't sound like a gambling concern then I'm the tooth fairy. Like OU Ron pointed out, the list of subscribers (Stormy Kimrey, Buppy Simank, Miles Marks) are all either bookies or porn stars. I knew Fran was spineless but didn't know he was completely clueless? Whose idea was this website in the first place? The answer to that question would be interesting.
Tomcat said:
posted on October 11, 2007 11:36 PM — 69.148.173.234 — link — abuse?
#7 You might be right, however you should follow the link provided by Kevin.There was a net profit.
#8 The list of peoples names provided are not bookies and porn stars.I know one of them works for a major oil company in Houston.
All these distractions will not make it any easier for the Aggies to win in Lubbock.
Makes me wonder if this thing was the coaches idea or something thought up by some Alumi or family member looking to profit by their association?
Either way it doesnt look good for Aggie fans or their coach.
Hookem-HornsU. of S. C. 1978 said:
posted on October 11, 2007 11:40 PM — 97.82.188.250 — link — abuse?
Wake whupped that azz! My prediction, Noles and Clempsen fans getting mighty tired of Bow Downs. So they opt for a change. That could be worse than what they have now. What to do, what to do? I have to admit that the whole thing sort of "warms the cockles of one's heart".
College Pigskin Fan said:
posted on October 12, 2007 1:12 AM — 4.244.213.242 — link — abuse?
This is the first step that leads to the next step.
The only questions that remains are, how soon will Texas A&M start looking for their next coach?
Who will be on their "short list"?
We can name coaches until the cows come home, but it can be a top 10 job if the right person comes along.
Jon said:
posted on October 12, 2007 9:25 AM — 68.84.19.20 — link — abuse?
I reviewed the charges. IMHO, these are mistakes anybody could make. You have a few obscure misc. NCAA violations that I'd be willing to bet every program in the US has made over the past year (but probably not stupid enough to put on the internet) and a very common accounting gaff.
I really hope this coach doesn't have his reputation ruined for this... I'd hate to see this overshadow his piss poor play calling and lack of coaching ability.
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Tom Blogical
said:
posted on October 11, 2007 1:27 PM — 24.95.77.153 — link — abuse?I don't think he'll be coaching there much longer.