The Dennis Franchione Era of Alabama Crimson Tide football was brief. Franchione, who spent two decades coaching in the FBS, had just two years in Tuscaloosa. He also left the Alabama program on less than ideal terms. Despite this, the Crimson Tide reminded us that some things are bigger than football.
Alabama shared a tribute for Franchione, who passed away Tuesday morning at 75 years old, across its social media platforms. The tribute shows a picture of Franchione in the Crimson Tide locker room.
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Franchione joined Alabama after a tremendous 10-1 campaign with the TCU Horned Frogs. The Crimson Tide went 7-5 in Franchione’s first season and 10-3 in his second, winning the SEC West with a 6-2 conference mark in 2002.
However, sanctions from Franchione’s predecessor, Mike Dubose, made Alabama ineligible for postseason competition, including the SEC Championship.
The sanctions arising from Dubose’s tenure — a bowl ban, scholarship losses and program probation — impacted Franchione’s time in Tuscaloosa.However brief Franchione’s contributions were, though, he’s “forever part of the Crimson Tide story.”
