Dennis Wayne Franchione, affectionately known as “Coach Fran,” passed away peacefully at his home in Georgetown, Texas following a recent illness.
Born at the “7 Mile Corner” in Southeast Kansas to Theda (Chapman) and Pete Franchione, he spent his early years playing ball with his nephew, Joe Clark. He later earned his degree from Pittsburg State University.
Coach Fran, known for his offensive schemes, built a distinguished career as a highly respected football program turnaround specialist at the high school, NAIA, and NCAA levels. Among his many accomplishments, he transformed perennial losing programs at New Mexico and TCU into successful, formidable teams. He also stabilized the Alabama program after several seasons among the nation’s lowest rankings.
His notable achievements include being named NAIA Coach of the Year twice; leading New Mexico to the Western Athletic Conference Mountain Division Championship in 1997; guiding TCU to a Sun Bowl victory over USC; and directing Alabama to an Independence Bowl win in 2001. He was also named AFCA Regional Coach of the Year in 1989 and 1990, WAC Coach of the Year twice, and was elected to the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Coach Fran had many victories on a football field but his greatest victory was accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He is preceded in death by his Parents, Pete & Theda, his sister, Shirley Clark, nephew, Joseph Clark. father-in-law, Kenny Kraus, brother-in-law, Kent Kraus, He is survived by his wife, Kim; son, Brad; daughters, Ashley and Libby; grandchildren Preston, Easton, Wyatt, Isabella, and Gunnar; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Memorial services will be held on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at 2 p.m. at The Worship Place, 811 Sun City Blvd, Georgetown, TX 78633. A reception will follow from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Georgetown Community Center, 445 E. Morrow St., Georgetown, TX 78626.
In honor of Coach Fran, attendees are encouraged to dress in their school colors or in golf attire.
In lieu of flowers, the Franchione family asks that memorial gifts be made in honor of Coach Dennis Franchione to help name the locker room in Pittsburg State’s new End Zone Facility.
Online gifts — https://psufoundation.givingfuel.com/gorilla-giving-day-2026. Please check the “In Memory Of” box and enter: Dennis Franchione. Pittsburg State will designate your gift to the Coach Fran locker room naming.
By check — Make checks payable to: Pittsburg State University Foundation, Inc. Write “In Memory of Coach Fran” in the memo line. Mail to: Pittsburg State University Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 4005 Pittsburg, KS 66762.
