Still a guessing game

Alabama, Texas A&M still unsure of Franchione's future

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- Dennis Franchione made one speaking engagement and skipped another -- reportedly to work on contract negotiations with Alabama officials -- but still left Crimson Tide fans guessing as to his future plans Wednesday.

A Texas A&M representative, meanwhile, contacted Tide athletic director Mal Moore to formally request permission to speak to Franchione about the Aggies' vacant position of head coach.

"I will not impede coach Franchione in any manner if he wishes to talk to A&M," Moore said Wednesday in a statement. "However, I want to stress that we want coach Franchione to finish his coaching career at the University of Alabama.

"We have made what we feel is a strong and fair contractual offer for him to stay."

Franchione was to meet with Texas A&M officials Thursday, most likely in Texas, the Mobile Register reported, citing unnamed sources.

Texas A&M president Robert Gates, asked Wednesday about Moore's comment that A&M officials asked for and received permission to talk with Franchione, only replied, "That sounds reliable."

Gates wouldn't go into detail about the plans for replacing longtime head coach R.C. Slocum.

"We have a process under way in looking for a new coach," Gates said. "I hope we'll have some results soon. That's all I'll say about the future."

Gates also wasn't specific about a timetable for finding Slocum's replacement. "I hope soon," he said.

Franchione, who is 17-8 at Alabama after two seasons, is under contract with Alabama through 2007 at $1.1 million per season plus incentives.

He returned from Atlanta to meet with Moore and members of the university's Board of Trustees to discuss a proposed contract extension reportedly worth $15 million over 10 years, The Tuscaloosa News reported.

Several Texas newspapers have reported that Franchione is the Aggies' top choice.

"There's been no change in what I plan to do at this point in time," Franchione said Tuesday night when asked if he intended to leave Alabama. "I've got coaches out recruiting, and they're working hard."

The subject didn't come up during Franchione's luncheon speech Wednesday to the Atlanta Touchdown Club -- for good reason.

"His secretary told me three times not to bring that up," said D.L. Claborn, the group's executive director. "He doesn't want to talk about it and he doesn't want to answer it."

Claborn said the turnout of 273 was about 50 more than normal. Franchione's topics were the Hawaii trip and the Crimson Tide's 10-3 season and top finish in the SEC West under NCAA sanctions.

"He made an excellent talk and we gave him two or three standing ovations," Claborn said.

Franchione canceled a trip to the Columbus Quarterback Club scheduled for Wednesday night, sending assistant coach Jim Bob Helduser in his place.

Gene Kemp, the group's executive director, said Franchione's representative called Wednesday morning to say the coach wouldn't make it.

"No reason other than he was just tired," Kemp said. "That's all we got."

 

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