College Station, Texas ? Texas A&M said Monday it would wait until the end of the football season before deciding coach Dennis Franchione’s fate.
CBS Sportsline and the Houston Chronicle reported Monday that Franchione and the school were working on a buyout deal that would end his tenure at the end of this season.
The Aggies have underachieved in Franchione’s five seasons, losing ground to the elite teams in the Big 12 and slipping out of the national spotlight. He also was bruised by the discovery of subscription e-mails to boosters that gave information about players.
Franchione’s contract pays him over $2 million per year and runs through 2012. The two media Web sites reported that Franchione and the school were ironing out the details of a buyout. The Chronicle said Franchione would remain A&M’s coach until the end of the season.
“There are several false rumors circulating regarding the Texas A&M football program,” the school said in an e-mailed statement.
Athletics department spokesman Alan Cannon said athletics director Bill Byrne would wait until the end of the season to evaluate Franchione, as he does with all coaches.
Cannon added, “I have received no indication that he has changed his stance.” Cannon said Franchione still was A&M’s coach and was preparing the team to play Missouri on Saturday.
