Fran May be Gone Also

Wesley · 10-17-2007, 09:18 PM

Aggies buying out Coach Fran's contract? : Fanblogs College Football Blog

October 16, 2007

Aggies buying out Coach Fran's contract?

There is an awful lot of talk that Texas A&M is moving to buy out Dennis Franchione's contract and will allow the embattled head coach to finish out the 2007 season with the Aggies.
According to reports being discussed on Chuck Coopersteins radio show, the university is currently in negotiations with Coach Fran's representative to reach a settlement that may be less than the $141,667.00 for each month remaining on his contract, in light of the recent email scandal.
In listening to the rumors and scuttlebutt, I can only tell you that the people who are privy to this information seem very convinced that something will go down as this week or by the end of the weekend.
I know that many (most?) of the Aggies fans have given up on Coach Fran - and I can understand the sentiment. Texas A&M introduced Fran as the guy who was going to get the Aggies into the Big XII title picture year-in and year-out. To date, that hasn't happened.
However, from my perspective, a contract buyout makes zero sense. One has to presume -- worst case scenario -- that A&M may have to spend as much as $5.8 million dollars just to say goodbye to Coach Fran.
Now, there may be room to reduce/eliminate the buyout, but that will be an issue for the lawyers to determine. To date, we know that A&M's legal beagles have already studied Fran's contract to see if he violated his employment agreement. Given the current mood in College Station, you have to presume that if the Aggies could have walked away from Coach Franchione scott-free, they would have done so already.
Which brings us back to the $5.8 million dollar buyout scenario. It is -- in a word -- ludicrous. If I could expand on my thoughts - absolutely ludicrous.
The best case scenario would be for Coach Fran to start producing on the field and quiet the storm. That would take the heat off Fran, off the Regents to pull the trigger, and off the university coffers for the buyout and (yet another) staff transition.
Here's my two-cents.... A&M would be well advised to do the prudent thing - wait it out.
Waiting for the end of the season costs nothing. (And under the terms of Fran's buyout, it actually SAVES the university money.) You cannot negotiate with current coaches right now, so why the rush? Is there any legitimate reason not to wait?
If Fran can bring this team to the finish line, then the Aggie nation will buy the champagne & championship t-shirts -- email scandal be damned. Or, If the Aggies don't have a reasonable shot at hoisting the trophy at the end of the season, well... burn that bridge when you get there.
Posted by Kevin Donahue

tim_redd · 10-17-2007, 09:46 PM

Before the weeks precedings in Nebraska they were calling it the Buy-Out Bowl.

ajk4st8 · 10-17-2007, 10:00 PM

with the lame duck coaches in the Big 12, it should open a big window for recruiting.

TxCycloneFan · 10-18-2007, 04:15 PM

Here's my two-cents.... A&M would be well advised to do the prudent thing - wait it out.

Your 2 cents isn't worth 2 cents.

Frannie is gone as soon as the ink is dry on his buyout agreement. Expect to see it 3 days after Thanksgiving this year.

CloneAggie · 10-18-2007, 04:21 PM

Originally Posted by TxCycloneFan

Your 2 cents isn't worth 2 cents.

Frannie is gone as soon as the ink is dry on his buyout agreement. Expect to see it 3 days after Thanksgiving this year.

How is your 2 cents different than his 2 cents?

"3 days after Thanksgiving" is the end of the regular season barring some miracle finish to get them into the Big 12 Championship game. They will probably make a bowl, but chances are it won't be a good one if you look at their remaining schedule!

TxCycloneFan · 10-18-2007, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by CloneAggie

How is your 2 cents different than his 2 cents?

"3 days after Thanksgiving" is the end of the regular season barring some miracle finish to get them into the Big 12 Championship game. They will probably make a bowl, but chances are it won't be a good one if you look at their remaining schedule!

My 2 cents is shiny and new, his 2 cents is the 2 cents you find in the seat of your car, the brown and fuzzy pennies that have been down there since 1985.

So no coach ever gets fired before the bowl game (assuming the qualify and they accept the bid). I think they will qualify, infact I think the Aggies will win 3 of their last 5 games (losses to OU and MU).

Then again my cents are Canadien!

theshadow · 10-18-2007, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by TxCycloneFan

Then again my cents are Canadien!

Which, If I heard the news right, means they're now equal in value to American cents. Yikes.

CloneAggie · 10-18-2007, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by TxCycloneFan

My 2 cents is shiny and new, his 2 cents is the 2 cents you find in the seat of your car, the brown and fuzzy pennies that have been down there since 1985.

So no coach ever gets fired before the bowl game (assuming the qualify and they accept the bid). I think they will qualify, infact I think the Aggies will win 3 of their last 5 games (losses to OU and MU).

Then again my cents are Canadien!

Yes, coaches have been let go before the bowl game, but you would have to admit it is a bit unusual, especially if the replacement isn't coming from within, which it obviously isn't going to be at A&M. I think it will entirely depend on who's on their short list of replacements and the likelihood of A&M getting them.

TxCycloneFan · 10-18-2007, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by CloneAggie

Yes, coaches have been let go before the bowl game, but you would have to admit it is a bit unusual, especially if the replacement isn't coming from within, which it obviously isn't going to be at A&M. I think it will entirely depend on who's on their short list of replacements and the likelihood of A&M getting them.

texags.com is about to explode. They have everyone from Bo Pelini to Bo Shembechler as the new Aggie coach.

They could very well have an interim coach take them bowling.

CloneAggie · 10-18-2007, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by TxCycloneFan

texags.com is about to explode. They have everyone from Bo Pelini to Bo Shembechler as the new Aggie coach.

They could very well have an interim coach take them bowling.

Again, yes they could do that. But I would hope if they fire Fran, they fire the entire staff. Where would this interim coach come from?

Wesley · 10-18-2007, 05:13 PM

I thought Bo pelini was going to be the coach in Lincoln.

Hurry up and Fire so you may Hire.

If the glove does not fit, acquit.

jdoggivjc · 10-19-2007, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Bryceman

I thought Bo pelini was going to be the coach in Lincoln.

Hurry up and Fire so you may Hire.

If the glove does not fit, acquit.

I dunno - last year some (including me) were convinced Pelini wanted to stick it to Lincoln and was considering coming here to coach. I still don't think Pelini wants anything to do with Lincoln unless it involves that old song from Prodigy ("Smack My ***** Up")

TxCycloneFan · 10-19-2007, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by CloneAggie

Again, yes they could do that. But I would hope if they fire Fran, they fire the entire staff. Where would this interim coach come from?

I hope Frannie is gone after the season is over, bowl or no bowl. He is not a good fit in Aggieland, we all hoped he would be "the one" but he was just another coach.

Big Bucks Bill Byrne has a big decision to make. I just hope we get the right guy this time.

***********************************
TxCycloneFan

Cyclone by birth
Aggie by Choice
The best of both worlds!

Go Cyclones, Gig 'em Aggies
Saw 'em off!!!

CyAggie · 10-19-2007, 11:18 AM

With the FranGate newsletter, and the known NCAA violations it is very possibble there will be no, or a very reduced buyout. The stage has already been set for the change.

TxCycloneFan · 10-19-2007, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by CyAggie

With the FranGate newsletter, and the known NCAA violations it is very possibble there will be no, or a very reduced buyout. The stage has already been set for the change.

FranGate, that cracks me up!