Seems like a natural statement to make give the situation. How about the Crimson Tide paying for Mark's care and let Gene Stallings resume as head coach? If he does come back, work more on recruiting future players. That is the only complaint from the past days. The players have gotten too soft. All Bama players should go through the Junction program, but, this comes from a former United States Marine. I am now living in the Chicago area.

i hate to see Alabama going through this mess. after this weekend its gonna look like we're scraping the bottom of the barrell for a head coach. Alabama cannot afford to get a non-reputable head coach while on probation. our recruiting will dwindle for the next 4 years. i know i may be living in the past, but if Gene is willing to move his family then he should be invited to come back to Alabama. i am, of course, speaking in the short term. even a 3 year contract with such a great coach would boost morale and recruiting. by then someone is sure to stand out in the finding pool and we can make the transition to another coach who we can sign to however long we like. Coach Stallings is the best answer. Is anyone taking him seriously as a candidate? This is Alabama, we shouldn't have such a long list. I was pulling for Riley, but it looks like its not gonna happen. Bring back Gene. Hey , what about Charlie Stubbs? he basically ran the team during the Dubose crap!!! I'd put him before these guys on the list now!!!

Living in the land of Rose Colored glasses called ARKANSAS, I've heard it all before. First Clinton, now Fran. I dont think he even deserves to be called Coach anymore. My 8th grade son was looking forward to Fran being there for a while so he could play for the Tide. Now he hates Fran. He still wants to play for his beloved Tide! Fran should try politics, God knows he had the knack for it! He has the poker face down pat. I feel for his kids. I watched ESPN ....The Season.....It showed how classy our players were and are from top to bottom. I thougth they had a great leader.....boy was I fooled. Let's move on and support wholeheartedly our next coach......ROLL TIDE FOREVER!
BAMA FAN IN LITTLE ROCK

Not only is the coaching situation and the Ncaa rumors driving me nuts,but the Buzzards otherwise known as sports writers are taking great delight in kicking Bama while they are down! They laugh about the loyal Bama fans and the so called rumor mill while they are the main mouthpieces of the rumor mill. They have a big impact on recruits with their inane analysis and predictions of doom and gloom.I hope they remember the story about Bear saying " here bury two".The Bama faithful should take heart in the fact that alot of talent returns next year.I really feel that all of this conjecture about additional NCAA penalties is hogwash.They had better visit every other school in the conference that were also standing in line over in Memphis! Serious lawsuits could result if individuals with high priced lawyers are raked over the coals even more.

I am glad Riley turned Bama down,i think it was a bad move to turn down Bill Parcells. Hell he was the only coach to show any interest in Bama and he is a well known coach that could help bama in recruiting tremendously.I'm really afraid that Bama will get a screwed up coach. Don't get me wrong - I'm a Bama fan, but nobody wants to come here. I dont know when the Bama bashing will stop by the NCAA and everybody else; the fact is that college football hates Bama.

I THINK THEY NEED TO RECONSIDER THE PARCELL'S OFFER

Why hasn't Mal offered the Head Coaching job to R.C. Slocum?

I live 45 minutes from Texas A&M. I grew up in Alabama, I love The Tide. I love everything the University stands for. My daughter plays basketball out here in Houston and she’s very good at it. On our way back to Texas from my trip home to Birmingham over Thanksgiving we stopped by THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA. We gently walked down to the floor of the basketball gym; she walked across the floor and look at the great building as if she had entered the gates of Heaven. Trust me Tide fans, ALABAMA has something far more special than Texas A&M. It's honor, religion, people you get to know and really care about. At Alabama a friend you meet is a friend that you have for life. Believe me, Kyle Field is a nice place, but its no Bryant-Denny! Texas A&M is a fine University, but it's no ALABAMA. My daughter may never play basketball at Alabama, but it was the Alabama experience that made her believe, really believe that maybe one day.... So this is my message, sometimes when we are to close we need to take a step back, let's step back and remember who we are and what we are about. We're winners, plain and simple. We will weather this storm and the coach Fran’s of the world will be here and gone. We are winners... We Are The Crimson Tide!

Remember when Syracuse sent Pat "Tie Dye" Dye all of those ugly ties. I think all of the Bama fans should send Coach Fran a Christmas present consisting of a piece of rope with the message "HOLD THE ROPE". That would send him a message that he wouldn't be able to dismiss as easily as he did the Bama Nation and would get him a little unwanted national attention!

Hey Fran Hold the Rope, While we put a noose in it. Think about A&M fired their winningest coach after a .500 season. Makes you wonder what the future holds doesnt it. Please put Bama on the schedule(if you aint skeered). I would love to see that game. ROLL TIDE ROLL

Thanks for providing Bama news.Im up here in Tenn. and rely heavily on your site for Bama news.As far as CDF goes,yes he is a good organizer and planner,and obviously had a good strength and conditioning coach.But for some reason he never seemed like such a great fit at least to me.He just never seemed like he had the intestinal fortitude to stay the course.I think the players would have responded to any Coach appearing to bring stability.It would be nice if the Ncaa would punish the people who caused the problems at Bama and not kids and coaches Five yeas later! The philosophy of the NCAA is ludicrous and never equitable! A pox on the NCAA! Keep up the good work Bamadog!

Most despised in Bama . . .
No its not who you might be thinking. It is Logan Young. He is who is responsible for this fiasco:
Loss of respect
Loss of head coach
Loss of respect
Loss of bowl games
Loss of respect
Loss of scholarships
Loss of respect
Loss of SEC championship
Loss of respect . . .
Notice the recurring theme above? Before the Logan Young shenanigans, would you have EVER thought a well liked and respected head coach would have left Bama football like that! N E V E R ! This is not to dismiss lightly what XCDF did, he let everybody down. but let’s put the blame for our current situation squarely where it belongs. Even though I believe that XCDF’s wife wanted to go back to Texas and played a part in this, without the sanctions, this situation would have never happened. Hopefully, we will be living the Life of Riley soon. Lets hope that the next coach lets it be known, like I believe XCDF did, that we will not tolerate anything that even gives the appearance of impropriety. This is Bama football. We don’t tear down goalposts & we don’t cheat – we are above that! This whole situation makes me appreciate the Bear even more, if that is possible!

If I was a current Bama player... I'd box up some rope and send it to Franny with this note... "We think you dropped something." or "Here's your rope." I HAD an autographed sketch of Fraudulent Fran... needless to say, it has been destroyed. Roll Tide anyway!

Our players put their hearts and souls into the coach hired after DuBose and he sold them out without even saying good-bye or confronting them. That piece of crap knew what he was getting into and when the kitchen got a little hot, he bailed and left them boys that he begged to stay for his own selfish reasons with the dirty work.
Like a good con artist, he had us fooled. All of this integrity and trust bullcrap was just a ploy to get the most out of this university and bail. He doesn't deserve to have his name mentioned with Alabama football. He lied to everyone and deserves every bit of backlash that comes at him.

I don't blame him one bit. We are on probation, the NCAA is sniffing around again (I think we will get the death penalty for 1 year), and Texas A&M is giving him a hell of a pay raise. If I had no ties to Bama, I would go too. I do wish he had spoken with the players, but lets get off his back. He did a great job, now lets move on.

I am not an Alabama Graduate, but my father and Grandfather are, and my Great Grandfather attended for 2 years. I AM a Rabid Alabama fan. I'm just as disappointed, but the banners you have chosen to display are TASTELESS. ALABAMA IS BIGGER THAT FRAN. SHOW THE REST OF THE WORLD A LITTLE CLASS, AND TAKE DOWN THE TACKY CRAP. IT'S TIME TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE.
Joel W. Daniel
Austin, TX

BAMADOG.COM NOTE: Become an Alabama graduate and you'll possibly understand how the REST OF US feel. Also, if you don't like what I have on MY site, create your own website so you can have a place that you, and only you, visit. You are the only complaint I have had so far, so sorry - you're the odd man out. Thank you for your support.

I want somebody young that will stay a long time. Someone that can bring character and class. Somebody that honors the tradition and is/was a part of it. Jay Barker. I don't care if he has coaching experience or not. Kids will come play for someone like that.

Looking at the whole picture coach fran hurt us but what did he do for us? He was out coached by Oklahoma, UGA, and OK. The only reason we beat TN is because we had better players, not a better coaching staff. We need someone who will stay the time necessary to overcome the NCAA sanctions and the hurt this does for BAMA in recruiting. Coach fran is not Jesus Christ. He is a man who needs to practice what he preaches...

Just call him Coach Fran-chise. Look for him to bounce outa A&M in a few--head for the pros. We need home-grown stock that sees the bigger Bama picture

I am so dissapointed that a straight faced lying, #$@!%&*, made a mockery of our university. If he thinks he can come to the greatest football rich school in college football history, he's full of *&%$#^. I will kick his &*%$# *&%. That ungrateful *%$#@!. I say we organize a large group and get tickets to one of A&M's games to boo the %$#@! out of that &*%$#@!. I will pay for it!
What a &*%$#!.
Mike Riley? Why don't we just hire Probst from Hoover. For the love, please get a decent coach. How about Steve Mariucci or Tommy Bowden. We should lobby the new coach to schedule a game with A&M.
I am #@!$ pissed!

I share everyone's disappointment in someone we thought wanted tradition and honor. Fran doesn't even begin to know the meaning of the word honor. Well folks, we've been "skunked;" however, we are the Crimson Tide and we will stick by our boys and roll back again! As for Fran, he'll have a larger following than he ever dreamed of. He will be held up to young people, not as a positive role model, but as a liar and a coward. I'm personally glad that this jerk is no longer walking on the same turf as Coach Bryant! I only hope that he truly gets what he deserves for hurting those boys who had faith in him!

All Bama’s Ex’s live in texas but at least we didn’t lose to tennessee

Yes I an upset that the man with a girls name (tmwagn) has left the best job in the world to go to the school to the west (tsttw). Like another of your writes said, I will never say his name again of that of the 2nd best school in Texas. He says he wants to be at a school with tradition – so he leaves the school that defines tradition. He wants to win championships so he leaves the school with more championships than any school in the nation. He isn’t just a liar he is stupid. Someone said he used Alabama as a stepping stone; I thought that stepping stones were usually used to step FORWARD not backward. I feel bad for Shaud Williams (even though he is much better off at Alabama) he followed tmwagn to Alabama, lost a year of eligibility, and is now a senior. Has thmwagn apologized to Shaud.
Like so many others, I bought into everything tmwagn said. I loved him, thought he was the next Coach Bryant; I feel like a woman Who has just found her husband cheating on her with her best friend. Maybe later on, I will forgive and forget and be able to wish tmwagn well but at this point I am mad and hope that he never wins another game.

I really don't have anything diffrent to say...very disappointed that he left but I really hurt for our players who trusted in him and believed in him....I always thought he had such class...but I was very wrong...I never thought he would pull a Tubby....WE WILL SURVIVE!!!! Also wanted a chance to tell you that I really enjoy your site and have been keeping up with bama thru your site. ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!

I'm pissed off at Coach Fraud. I hope gets his ass kicked in the tough Big 12. I was really suprised about this situation he has left us in. I only hope that we find somebody who is committed to coaching and being part of the Alabama tradition. Right now I would only hire somebody with links or ties to Alabama. Right now "trust" is the biggest issue when we hire a coach. Apparently Coach Fraud could'nt understand this.
Here are my top 5 replacements:
1.Gene Stallings-Comes out of retirement and reloads the Crimson Tide in the next few years.
2.Carl Torbush-Great Defense mind, but lacks the head coaching mind.
3.Danny Ford-Great Coach at Clemson,and Arkansas. His only problem are ADs. But Mal Moore and Ford could get along fine.
4.Mike Riley-Former Tide player, good assistant coach, but like Torbush can't be as effective as a head coach.
5.Mike Shula-Young, former Tide player, who could probaly help the offense, but lacks head coaching experience.
Other Names: Dennis Erickson, Mike Stoops; Even though I hate to say it, I would love to see if Steve Spurrier is interested, because he is one hell of a college coach.

WELL TEXAS A&M HAS THEIR TRUE YELLOW ROSE OF TEXAS. WE SEE HIS TRUE COLORS.

It's obvious that Torbush should be named the next head football coach at Alabama. He knows the NCAA battle ahead and yet HE'S willing (unlike Fraudphony) to face the upcoming challeges and lead our team full steam ahead! Torbush is the man.

Just wondering if anyone noticed if the "rope we were holding" had a bar of soap dangling from it? No wonder Fraud seemed so eager to let go.

Hey aggie in husker country...how long has that coward stayed at one place? Not long, and he won't beat Texas. Sorry, A&M is not BAMA!

Our Dream, #2 Alabama vs #1 Texas A&M in the Rose Bowl Jan 2, 2005 or 2009. Patience!!! What a game. What goes around comes around. Keep the faith!

Like all other True Bama Fans, I was shocked to learn that Franchione was leaving T Town to go to TAMU. But, I should've known that something was amiss. The signs were evident, and my 18 year old son picked up on them a few weeks ago. His refusal to take the time to sign the new contract extension, the horrible loss to a mediocre Awbun team, his attitude towards the Bama media when questioned about the "rumors", and his overall demeanor during the week of the Hawaii game. Perhaps his conscience was beginning to get the best of him. His leaving Bama to go to another school isn't why I'm so deeply shocked, hurt and pissed off, it's the way he did it that bothers me so much. And, the single most unforgivable sin that he committed was his deceivement of his players and assistant coaches. Let's face it Bama Fans, Franchione did it better than Lil' Tommy Tubbs did when he pulled out of Oxford to go to Awbun. Bama will persevere, and we will make it through this crisis and the continuing harassment by the NCAA. Like many others have stated, I'm glad he's gone. We don't need people like Franchione at Bama. TAMU will also learn the hard way when he sneaks out of College Station in the middle of the night two or three years from now. Trust Coach Mal to make a good decision on our next head coach, and let's eagerly await the beginning of next year's season opener. ROLL DAMN TIDE.
A Native Alabamian and Lifelong Bama Fan in Billings, Montana

I only have one thing to say about (Fran) if your heart ain't in it get your @$$ out.

Liar liar pants on fire, blah blah blah. OK he is an ass. Enough said. I doubt very seriously the former coach had a clue of how vast and close the Bama nation is. His wife said she used to be able to go to the grocery store (TCU, New Mexico, etc.) and not have to worry about being "noticed". Well she will get what she wants when she and the family make there way to College Station. When you live in an area where football is important 5-6 months out of the year you can live an anonymous life. At Alabama it is 24-7-365. As the Alabama coach you and your family become part of the Bama family. You go out anywhere in the state of Alabama you will be recognized and ask for autographs. Travel out of state to play golf at Pebble Beach in California, you run into Bama fans. Go to Hawaii, Bama fans. Anywhere in the WORLD you will run into the Bama nation. We have lived and learned, now it is time to move forward. The next coach has to understand that when he accepts the position of head coach at Alabama he will adopt several million loyal (yes, I said LOYAL) bama faithful as family. It takes a special person (and wife and children) to handle the above average demands, expectations, and fish bowl atmosphere in Tuscaloosa. I know we have over 100 special young men who know loyalty, commitment, and sacrifice and have by their own free will decided that they could live in the environment that their former coach could not. The NCAA sanctions truly have not started to take effect YET. Yes, we will be mad as hell with .500 or worse records. But history has shown that we will suffer at least 1,2 or even 3 "BAD" seasons before the scholarship limitations are remedied. After that there will be no excuses for not having a team in the hunt every year for the SEC/National title. Because that is how it works in the Bama nation. Roll Tide!!!!!!!!!

A lot of things are being said about coach Fran and trust me, my first thoughts were not pleasant ones. People will say it was because of the sanctions, which I believe to be unacceptable since it hurts players that were not part of the violations, while other people will say it was for the money. However, if you look at the deal he went for, it wasn’t about money. You can put down the school, you can put Fran down but that accomplishes nothing. If you really look hard, you will see that his first love is to the state of Texas. Evidence of this is the clause that was in his TCU contract. It had an out clause for A&M. So his first love is to Texas as mine is to Alabama. A&M is a good school and I applaud them on their choice of coach. After all Alabama chose him first and the best form of flattery is imitation.

However…The way that Coach Fran continually assured the bama fans that he would be back then leaving is deceitful.
The way that Coach Fran did not tell the bama players himself if cowardly.
But the way that Coach Fran asked players to “Hold the rope” and stay at Alabama, then leave when the going got tough, well that is just wrong. I would rather have had a losing season, with the players making decisions not based on deceit, than the season that we had. These players now must live with their decisions made by a coach encouraging them to stay when he wouldn’t. I wonder what he will tell his new recruits… I wonder how they will believe any of it….

So, my message to Coach Fran. Congratulations on your new position at Texas A&M. I hope you are able to build a program similar to the one you had started at Alabama. with overwhelming evidence of deceit, not being man enough to face your players, and the entire world knowing not to trust a thing you say. Roll Tide

Honor, Integrity, and Class. Coach Franchione failed in every single one. If I were a recruit torn between Texas (UT) and aTm my answer would be "I would would never play for a liar." He told recruits and their parents he was staying and that will be his legacy. A LIAR. He told his players to hold the rope and they did, but he let go. He ask the players to stay and they did, but he left. Franchione will no longer be called Coach, from now on he will be called a liar. Franchione will never be known as one of the great ones. When the going got tough - Francis got out of town. Cowards always leave through the back door. I am glad he showed his true colors early on and not later down the road. He will always be looked upon as someone who didn't have what it took to Coach The Alabama Crimson Tide. That is called Honor, Integrity and Class. aTm deserves the back end of the horse. He will never win a national title while at atm. Bank on it.

Looks like the slime that Dubose left behind is going to hurt UA for many years to come. It looked like we were on to something this year, but now the dreaded Death Penalty looms. I am not sure UA can get a decent coach at this point.

As a Bama dad and longtime Tide supporter, I was one of the many who bought into the huckster's smoke and mirrors. I hate it for all the young men WHO HE LIED TO and I think thay should take that rope he left them holding and go hang him with it. ROLL TIDE ANYWAY!!
BRENT

They can have him I- we don't need him. We are Alabama-they are Texas a&m. I hope they get caught up in an ncca probe. but mainly i hope we get to face him in a game one day and beat the Texas tar out of him.

What person would "sell" a group a young boys on a plan to go forward in life and then, bam, leave them? It's unthinkable that one would do such. The fans in Alabama can understand why you might want a raise, but be honest, and tell them that's why you came to Alabama in the first place. You knew all year you would be going to Texas A & M. The Dallas papers say this move has been in the works for a long time. You couldn't possibly have worn a Texas A & M tie, taken your wife with you and checked out a move. When you got there, the red carpet was out. The move was a done deal. Be honest with what went on. The boys are confused and bewildered. You don't even have the decency to face them. What kind of person are you really? We thought we had found the classiest, cleanest, most caring person in coaching. Boy, were we wrong. What a sad day for Alabama to know we had been "scammed" all along. You wanted to come where Bear had built tradition? Bear didn't believe in being self-serving. We're so sorry we were wrong about you. It's a big disappointment to find out the real Coach Fran. I hope the Aggies are ready for your deceitfulness. We'll being cheering, "Hook 'em Horns."

Hey Dawg, I'm truly pissed off at Francione. I probably wouldn't be as mad if he'ld have just said yes I'm gong to A&M. Mainly because a lot of our freshman and sophomores came because of him. They should have hiked up the contract buyout price more. But now we now who not to trust, Plus I think A&M is STILL mad about "THE BEAR". I think we should put Torbush at the wheel because he has a wonderful defense and has Head Coach experience From N. Carolina. Roll Tide! and God Bless.

OK boys and girls before we start pointing fingers of who's fault everything is. With my best friend being a Bama fan I understand there is a lot of pride within the Bama organization and its fan base, but what did Alabama really do to ensure one of the best coaches in the NCAA did not leave? First off the Alabama football program isn't in the best of standings with the NCAA, it is under sanctions now and may face more in the future.....OH believe me I understand its CRIMSON TIDE FOOTBALL and I pull for the tide when my Aggies aren't playing, but you throw a contract extension out their that would make Coach Fran what the 4th or 5th highest paid football coach in the NCAA? If he meant that much to Alabama especially under the given circumstances why didn't they sit down and figure out what it would take to keep a coach with his track record? They throw this contract at him with their Bama arrogance and then open the door as if to say OH he'll never leave were this is Crimson Tide foot. Its not like he was going to interview with Baylor come on he was going to one of the biggest schools in the country that understood what he deserved, they offered him 850,000 more than RC Slocum made the all time Winningest coach in A&M football history. Think about it he's only the 3rd football coach to walk away from the Bama football program, what's this say maybe the Alabama football program is to blame not coach Fran.
Signed the Aggie in Husker Country.........

I am very disappointed that the coward left (I refuse to say his name anymore, much like he refused to say Awburn). I could understand if he left for more money, fear of more NCAA problems or family. But don't lie to me and don't treat my football like crap. He used them like a cheap whore and left them laying there. And now you got a big mouth like Gil Lebreton at the Fort Worth Star Telegram (www.dfw.com) shooting off his trap about why he thinks the coward left. Check it out. He deserves the coward. and I agree with you forget the Sooners and bring on the Aggies. The following is my response to Lebreton.

Mr. Lebreton,
I see you know a lot about the state and university of Alabama, Happy Days and what it takes to wins National titles in college football. Yes, I agree that THE University of Alabama has had it's share of problems since 1992, but this program was winning titles long before THE BEAR heard Mama's call. And like his preaching, it's not about one man or one player or the fans or even the Tradition, it's a about the combination of all these things. And as for second rate school comment, records speak for themselves. I was disappointed that denny might leave UA, But what really angers me is that he would deceive the press when asked about his intentions. And that he didn't have the manhood enough to tell the players, that he convinced to "HOLD THE ROPE" to stay at UA last year, in person that he was leaving. Alabama is down, but like all great heavyweights in history we'll get back up. I just hope that A&M understands when Nebraska or someone with the clout of a Alabama comes calling. And even if they don't, do you really believe that denny can compete against U of Texas, U of Ok & Nebraska and win Titles. Twenty years from now let's see how many more Titles BAMA has and if A&M has finally won numero uno.
[Bamadog Note: TA&M does have one national championship. Hooraah.]

Dear Texas A&M athletics:
I would like to commend you on signing Coach Dennis Francione. You really have a winner comming to your school. I would just like to advise you that this winner is a phony. Just be careful that he does not do the same to you as he did to us at Bama and at TCU.

Coach Fran is a liar and has absolutely no class. Please advise your players to play for themselves and for the university, not for Coach Fran. Coach Fran has sucked the life out of our entire football program and school. Again, congrats on getting such a winner in Coach Fran. Hope you enjoy all 5 of his personalities.
Sincerely,
A heart broken Bama Alum

I think the appropiate for this lowlife snake at this time is FranPhony. Like my grandfather always tells me "if you lay down with dogs you will get up with fleas". To sum it all up I think he is pretty much a lying sack of s!@#. The tide nation shall continue to roll. ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!!!

I have mixed feelings about Franchione's departure. My son is on Army scholarship at Texas A&M, in the Corps of Cadets. I've been to A&M several times, and I like it a lot. Going to a football game there is a unique experience: 40,000 students doing their yells (they don't have cheers or cheerleaders) in unison, with understandable words; the Corps march-in; singing the Aggie War Hymn and making the whole stadium sway. I like the people there. I think the Corps of Cadets is an outstanding organization. It produces more military officers than any other program in the country except the service academies. And contrary to one posting on the Ventilation Machine, the girls there are REALLY good-looking. Texas A&M is a class operation, and I've become a naturalized Aggie.

I'm not too sure this was about money. When you're making more than $1 million per year, and have been making that kind of money for a while, the money is more a means of keeping score than of assuring your family that they aren't going to go hungry next month. If you look at Franchione's history, he seems to come in to a moribund program, rebuild it to the point that it's on a solid footing, and move on. The Lone Ranger saves the girl, and says, "My work here is done! Hiyo, Silver, awaaaaay!"

That said, he pulled a stunt that I thought only Tommy Tuberville would pull: take another job and then not face his players and tell them what he did and why he did it, and deal with their reaction like an honest man. And that stinks.

Alabama will survive this and the NCAA bullying. I've been a Tide fan for 45 years, and this is no reason to curl up into a ball. They'll hire a good coach who'll get the job done under difficult circumstances. I nominate Carl Torbush.

I'm from North Carolina and a die hard Crimson Tide fan.....What fran did was very dishonest, also he used the players and the University, We will go on maybe it will turn out as a blessing Alabama has had its share of turmoil and now its time to move on....I like Riley as the New Coach, but I do not want to lose Torbush either. Thanks for your site, and the time you put into it....It keeps us folks up to date with everything that happens. TDG

Hey Dog, long time reader of your site. I have just one thing to say, because all the others have about said it all. I did not realize until I read it yesterday, but ole Dennis has never seen one of his recruits GRADUATE from college. He is always gone before a freshman class gets through their four or five years. Unbelievable. Folks should wake up to him. He is like that RINO ex-republican Senator, "Jumpin" Jim Jeffors, who changes all the time. Now with the Republicans in charge of the Senate, ole Jumpin is out. Fran might just jump like that one of these days and land in the tar pit of hell also. I hope he hits it deadeye. Keep up the good work on your site.

I am actually glad that he left. If he had not left this year then we would have been going through the same crap this time next year. The fact of the matter is Fran has no concept of what a good coaching job is. To all of the Aggie fans out there I would like to say that the only way A&M is a better coaching job than Alabama is if we had got the death penalty from the NCAA (National Conspiracy Against Alabama). Also to the A&M faithful I would like to say congratulations on landing a coach completly driven by money. Paying a coach more than 2 mil is crazy but paying one that much that has NEVER won a conference championship is down right stupid. It's not that he is not capable of winning championships it is that he does not stay anywhere long enough to win anything. The way the Cowboys are going they will be needing a new coach in about 2 or 3 years and will probably we willing to pay 3 mil. To the A&M players and potential recruits, don't believe all of his honesty and integerity speeches, and if he tries to get you to HOLD THE ROPE then super glue his hands to it so he doesn't let go either. I think that in our search for a new coach we should make sure that they have all of the attributes that Fraud-O claimed to have. If we could actually find a coach that was as good as Fran claimed to be then we would win many national championships. One more not to Mal Moore cancel the trip to Hawaii next year and let's go down to Texas and beat the living $#@! out of Fran and his beloved big shot oil wigs. Roll Tide until the end of time.

I AM STILL IN SHOCK, HOW CAN THAT LOW-LIFE SLEEP AT NIGHT!!!!! HE HAD PEOPLE COUNTING ON HIM, AND HE JUST WALKED AWAY AND NOT EVEN FACE TO FACE, HE TURN AND RAN LIKE A COWARD. HE MAKES ME SICK!!!! I DO NOT WANT TO WISH ON THE PLAYERS OF A&M A LOSING SEASON, BUT I HOPE HIS CAREER THERE IS A LOSING ONE. I THINK WE SHOULD MAKE SURE HE CAN NEVER SET FOOT IN ALABAMA AGAIN!!! HIS STUFF THAT HE LEFT IN BAMA TOWN, SHOULD BEEN DRIVEN TO THE STATE LINE AND THROWN IN THE NEAREST BODY OF WATER AND TELL HIM TO FETCH LIKE THE DOG HE IS. ROLL TIDE, WE WILL MAKE IT AND BE BETTER OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND TO WHOM EVER BAMA ELVIS IS YOU SUCK JUST AS BAD AS HE DOES, FIND A DIFFERENT WEB SITE IF YOU DON'T LIKE US!!!! ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!

When the NCAA announced its sanctions in the Albert Means case, Franchione pleaded with the nearly 40 juniors and seniors who could transfer without losing a season of eligibility to stay, to depend on him and to depend on each other. He asked them not to give up just because the job became tougher. They believed in him, and when other schools came courting, they stayed. When it came time for him to make the same commitment, Franchione left. When Texas A&M came courting, Franchione batted his eyes. With the possibility of more NCAA penalties resulting from the Memphis scandal, Franchione bolted. The wounds suffered will take their greatest toll in the next three seasons, as the smaller recruiting classes become upperclassmen. Franchione looked that Sisyphean task in the eye -- and ran to another hill three states away. Franchione will give plenty of positive reasons why he decided to leave for College Station. But if bailing out on the very commitment he asked of his players isn't one of them, then, as Alabama rockers Wet Willie used to sing, grits ain't groceries, eggs ain't poultry, and Mona Lisa was a man. What's worse, Franchione's web master and co-author, Mike McKenzie, issued a statement on the coach's behalf Thursday that Franchione would not return to Tuscaloosa to tell his players goodbye and that he had asked his assistants to inform the players of his departure. One member of his staff, contacted Thursday, cringed at the thought of it. Another said, "I hate it for these players."

Why not Gene Stallings?

He's dead to me........

Hey Karl, I guess we are all pissed at Franny. There is something wrong with college sports when money triumphs over honor. Or maybe it is just because at the University of Alabama we have grown to expect honor, trust, and COURAGE out of our students and our leaders. Once again we have found another coach who does not know the meaning of any of those terms. Am I pissed? You bet, but Bama will triumph over this as they have many other obstacles. We do not hold as many records as we do because we cower down in times of adversity. The Tide will Roll, and the Crimson will flow. Tide Pride always.

I am one of the more loyal UA Alumni and am so mad and sick over this Fran mess I could scream. First of all, he is a gutless, lying wonder who took us for a ride the last few weeks. Secondly he left about 100 committed players who sacrificed to stay with him through this like he asked them to do, then left himself. We shouldn't even let him back into the state to get his belongings. Third, if he is that money-oriented, I'm sure the UA would have sweetened the pot if he's given us the chance after the A&M offer. I hope he encounters all the misfortunes as Steve Spurrier is now faced with here with the Redskins by leaving a faithful university and group of guys and going for the big bucks and showing such unethical behavior. I'll be first in line to cheer for every defeat he tastes at A&M, and he'll taste many at a school which is ranked second or third in the state of Texas.

I'm disappointed that coach fran left, but seeing now the way he has handled this, I'm certainly glad that he did. I now believe his only reason for accepting the Bama was to get some national recognition. He had a 7 year contract with us and probably knew that during that 7 years he would certainly have at least one great season that would get him the offers he wanted. I think he owes his new salary to the 2002 Crimson Tide players. What a crook! He preaches loyalty and trust and then bails as fast as he can fly to college station. Funny, we're about to see a movie on espn this dec. about what Bear did for his team at College Station, made them winners in football as well as life. When the time came for him to leave, he left honorably. The same will never be said for fran. I hope the A&M players do take a long hard look at what he asked of his Bama players and then what he gave in return. "Do as I say not as I do", right? I just now hope that one day he has to come back and play against Bama in T-town. Of course if he sees us on his schedule that may be a reason for him to leave another team! Roll Tide!

I'm upset, of course. Worried about the impact on recruiting. All those things. Instinctive reaction is to blast Franchione as some sort of sleeze-bag (and he may be one). But I also want to be fair. Before Alabama folk get too hot, maybe we ought to do a survey of the kids who were at Texas A&M in 1957. I wonder how they felt then?

Being stationed deep in the heart of "Husker" country,(just outside of Omaha) the only thing comforting was rubbing it in the face of all these Nebraska fans the history and "Future" of the CRIMSON TIDE!!!!! A real legendary football program. Now our hopeful Coach has left for another Big 12 school. Its a real slap in the face. I say "We don't need a cowardly self centered hypocrite trying to run our program anyway!" Bring on Brodie Croyle and bring on the TIDE!!!!!

I just want to ask Fran - How do I explain to my 9 yr old son, who has an autographed photo of Fran hanging in his room, that this man who talked about perservernce and loyalty had none. The issues he drilled our team about seemed to be lacking in his own life. I was fooled, I thought he was a man of character and I was WRONG. Fran how should I explain to my son that when things get too tough it is ok to quit like you did. When things get too tough it is ok to find the easy road out. I am dissapointed for the University ,the players and the fans. Fran you have no backbone, your actions were cowardly at best. Oh and by the way that photo, we used it for fire starter last night (my son through it in)!!!
upsetdad

Ahhh YES, Christmas time and the dilema of what to get the Coach that HAD it all? Afterall, you could successfully debate that Fran had the highest profile job in the state. Hell, the Governor had to call him for publicity photo shoots. Hmmm, oh yes, I know!! How about a job at one of the "OTHER schools" in Texas? A place where the 3 "decent" looking co-eds are usually studying abroad and chasing goats is a favorite pastime, right up there with NOT WALKING ON THE GRASS. Going from a school (and state) that idolizes the "BEAR" to a school that has borrowed its theme song from "YOGI BEAR" and it's mascot from LASSIE. In a way, I guess the latter is fitting. Perhaps LASSIE can even be used as Fran's new PERSONAL mascot. Afterall, he's finally shown everyone the dog he is. Not surprisingly, if you look closely at the recording of the teleconferencing, you'll note a fine, yet distinctly YELLOW, line going down the middle of the ex-coach's back. Still, perhaps this move will benefit Fran in the long term. For if you can't learn LOYALTY and TRUST from LASSIE, who can you learn it from? Rest assured fellow TIDE fans, sooner or later, LASSIE will also learn that where coach Fran is concerned, LOYALTY and TRUST aren't the 2-way streets they seem to be. Merry Christmas to all and to all a ROLL TIDE

Coach Fran (as if he deserves that title...) is a horrible example for ANY young man to follow. A "coach" is just that: a teacher who gives knowledge to those whom he or she can convince to listen. What Franchione taught our boys about football had astounding results throughout the majority of the 2002 season. How fitting it is that at approximately the same time he set into motion the actions that would unfortunately teach those same young men the reality of his untrustworthiness, he would also fail them in the leadership needed to close a successful season with a win over an extremely weak Auburn team. I feel for the players involved in the Texas A&M program, as surely sometime in the future they, too, will learn the cold, hard truth behind Dennis Franchione...ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS! We all saw the effectiveness and benefit of "Coach" Fran's misdirection on the playing field. Now we all can witness who benefits from the effectiveness of Fran's misdirection upon on our school, our fans, and most of all our players. Surely we are better off, no matter the immediate consequences, for having been separated from a "leader" of this caliber. He mislead our boys...He mislead our administration...He misled all of us...Now, at least he can mislead all of us no more! God be with Coach Fran, his family...and most of all his poor Aggies, for those Aggies have now assumed our former position as Fran's next jilted program. Above all else, We can never stop believing!!! We were looking for a coach when we found this one! We may have fallen for his smoke-and mirrors display, but we are now past that point, for better or for worse! Dennis Franchione will NEVER establish, take part in, or for that matter, even understand the tradition that was, is, and will continue to be our beloved Crimson Tide!
GO BAMA! ROLL TIDE!

Let's get Coach Stallings back. Best Coach since Bear.

Hi Karl, I've emailed you several times..I've got a new screen name..But I think I've emailed you from work..You may not remember me..but anyway..what is being said in Texas about all this?? I'm not going to say who..but I've got family playing for Bama.. Today..via tele-conference..Coach Fran told the coaches and players he was leaving...many of these young men are devastated..Take my family member for instance..As a sophmore..after the sanctions were announced..he almost left..

Coach Fran talked him into staying..His exact words.."I will be here with all of you..for many years..we will make it thru this probation..if I'm not leaving..why should any of yall...stand up and be real men"....

The whole team fell for it..I don't blame him for wanting more money..I don't blame him if it's A&M where he has always wanted to coach..But I do blame him for the way he handled this..These are young guys..Looking back now..I'm glad he's going..Our men need real leadership...I wish no ill will on Texas A&M...they have fallen for it to..But you know our old southern saying...What goes around comes around.. and this will...eventually..On Coach Fran..full face..wait and see....by the way...any leads on a job yet?? Anyway..that's all I will say for now.. My hubby is actually in Texas right now hunting..We went to Hawaii...it was very nice..but Coach Fran was already showing signs of pulling away from Bama..All My best to you..

I am still so angry with that man... I have lost all respect for a man whom I held in some of the highest regards for the past 2 years and further. His leaving is a horrible slap in the face to all the players at Alabama. Well, we will continue through this and Alabama will still be the team I live and breath for, and whatever happens to this man, will happen. I have to hear it even more being out here in Texas. Anyway, this is a good article. I really hope some of those A&M players read some of these articles that are out there. Roll Tide!

Bamadog , Fran is a smooth talking snake in the grass to do what he has done to our program is unexcusable. Please put up a pole that we ought to sue his sorry @$$ for doing our players like he did . We need to put his rope around his d@mn neck. He has no class or character. Get his sorry @$$ out of the same halls and offices that Coach Bryant and Coach Stallings occupied. He don’t deserve to be on our campus.

SORRY BUT I HAVE TO SAY THIS>>> F*** THE BASTARD!

Dennis,
You are not loyal, BUT YOUR PLAYERS WERE! So remove your words from your web page. You are however a Liar," I will settle it at the end of the season" , well you sure did. YOU LEFT BEHIND A GROUP OF PLAYERS WHO TRUSTED YOU! THEY COULD HAVE WENT SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT THEY STAYED WITH YOU, YOU LYING SON OF A DOG!
DO NOT EVER COME BACK TO ALABAMA, YOU DID NOT EVEN HAVE THE GUTS TO LOOK THE PLAYERS IN THEIR FACE AND TELL EM YOU WERE LEAVING------- YOU GUTLESS COWARD!! I AM MAD! NO DOUBT THERE. dont come back to sell your house please, I do not want your stinch in my state. let someone else pack your stuff and bring it back to you. You will NEVER BE WELCOME IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AGAIN, SO DONT EVEN FLY OVER IT, AND DO NOT TRY TO SET UP GAMES WITH ALABAMA. WE DO NOT PLAY GUTLESS COWARDS ! I FEEL SORRY FOR YOUR WIFE AND KIDS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A COWARD FOR A HUSBAND AND FATHER. GOD BLESS YOU KIM AND YOUR CHILDREN, I WISH YOU THE BEST.
TO TEXAS A&M I WISH YOU THE BEST AS WELL, BUT AS LONG AS DENNIS " GUTLESS COWARD" FRANCIONNE IS THERE YOU WILL ONLY BE MEDIOCRE, BECAUSE THE PLAYERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST HIM. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU AT THE FIELD AT BRYANT DENNY THOUGH WITH THE PLAYERS ALL AROUND YOU.
KARL,
send this letter if you like to all bama fans in your adress book, with their own words added if they want to... and karl-----ROLL TIDE!

BD
I am sick. We have lost another coach. I am in Knoxville so I don't know what is going on. Pleeeeeeeeezzzzzzzz keep me informed BD-I am sick!!!!

check this out... the rat bastard is leaving Bama. ***link*** I can't believe he is leaving. You are right... he's a total hypocrite!!! Anyway, I'm not a happy girl! Who do you think will get the job? Talk to you later.

[yes, this guy sux for sending me this...]

sung to the tune of "Heartbreak Hotel"

Ever since my Franny left me, I've found a new place to dwell, it down at the bottom of the SEC, called 4 and 7 hell. You know we'll get so lonely baby. We'll get lonely. We'll get so lonely lets call Hayden Fryyyyyy.

Well, the fans tears keep flowin', the cheerleaders are dressed in black, We've been so long on NCAA probation, there's no coming back. You know we'll get so lonely baby. We'll get so lonely. We'll get so lonely lets call Hayden Fryyyy.

BAMA Elvis

I'm a disappointed Tide fan

Now that it has happened....How do you feel about Coach Fran's departure? I will tell you how I feel.....I am sad to see him go. However, it is not the end of the world. If it was not Texas A&M, it would have been Nebraska next year, or eventually Kansas State. The rumors would have never died. I feel for the players, but he can kiss my ass.