BREAKING NEWS: Former Texas a&m head coach Dennis Franchione now on ballot for 2026 college football Hall of Fame class sent a message to Texas a&m head coach Mike Elko concerning

In a development that has stirred both nostalgia and reflection across the college football landscape, former Texas A&M head coach Dennis Franchione has officially been named to the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. The announcement came early Friday morning from the National Football Foundation, sparking immediate reaction from former players, colleagues, and fans across Aggieland and beyond.

Franchione, whose coaching career spanned over three decades and included head coaching stops at New Mexico, TCU, Alabama, and Texas A&M, is being recognized for his overall contributions to the game—marked by innovation, resilience, and a lasting impact on player development.

But in a moment that resonated deeply with the Aggie community, Franchione accompanied the announcement by sending a personal message to current Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko, offering words of praise, mentorship, and unity.

“Mike,” Franchione wrote in a note shared with Texas A&M Athletics and ESPN, “what you’re building in College Station is something truly special. This program means the world to me, and I couldn’t be prouder to see the grit, discipline, and vision you’ve brought to it. Keep the faith, keep the culture, and always, always play for that 12th Man.”

Franchione’s time at Texas A&M (2003–2007) remains one of the more layered chapters in program history. He took over in a turbulent era, tasked with reviving a team still adjusting to the post-R.C. Slocum era and the increasing competitiveness of the Big 12 South.

Under Franchione, the Aggies experienced both highs and lows. He compiled a 32–28 record over five seasons, highlighted by a signature win over Texas in 2006, a 12–7 defensive masterpiece in Austin that remains etched in the minds of Aggie fans.

While his tenure ended in controversy—most notably involving an unauthorized newsletter sent to boosters that led to NCAA scrutiny—Franchione’s broader career tells a story of perseverance and success. He amassed over 200 wins as a collegiate head coach and played a key role in developing future NFL talents and establishing discipline-driven cultures.

“He was ahead of his time in a lot of ways,” said ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit. “From strength programs to quarterback development, Coach Fran helped modernize college football in the early 2000s.”

Franchione’s Hall of Fame candidacy isn’t just about one program. His coaching résumé includes:

• New Mexico (1992–1997): Revived a struggling program, leading the Lobos to a 9–4 season and WAC title game appearance in 1997.
• TCU (1998–2000): Led the Horned Frogs to two conference titles and a resurgent national profile behind star running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
• Alabama (2001–2002): Helped stabilize the Crimson Tide during a turbulent period before departing for Texas A&M.
• Texas A&M (2003–2007): Recruited core players who would later contribute under Mike Sherman and Kevin Sumlin, laying groundwork for future success.
• Texas State (2011–2015): Guided the Bobcats through a successful transition to FBS, earning their first FBS bowl eligibility.

In total, Franchione retired with a 213–135–2 career record and is one of only a handful of coaches to win conference titles at multiple levels of college football.

“Coach Fran coached through multiple generations of change,” said College Football Hall of Fame executive director Steve Hatchell. “His ability to adapt, lead, and win at every stop is a testament to his lasting legacy.”

What stood out most on Friday wasn’t just the resume, but the gesture of connection—a nod to the bridge between A&M’s past and its future.

In the message delivered to Mike Elko, Franchione expressed admiration for the program’s current trajectory under its new leader, who led the Aggies to a 10-3 season in 2024, including wins over LSU and Auburn and a top-15 finish.

“I see the toughness in your team,” Franchione wrote. “I see the discipline, the grit, and the fight. Those are Aggie values. Those are things we all worked to instill in this place. And I know you’re going to take them even further.”

Elko responded with his own message later that day via X (formerly Twitter):

“Honored to receive such kind words from Coach Franchione. His time here helped shape the fabric of Aggie football, and I’m proud to continue building on that legacy. Congratulations on a well-deserved Hall of Fame nomination. #GigEm”

The mutual respect struck a chord among former players and staffers, many of whom took to social media to applaud the moment of solidarity.

“Coach Fran was tough, but he cared deeply,” said former Aggie linebacker Justin Warren. “Seeing him and Coach Elko connect like this—it shows the heart of this program.”

For years, Franchione’s departure from Texas A&M had cast a shadow over his legacy, particularly in Aggieland. But time, context, and perspective have worked in his favor. As the broader college football world reexamines the impact of long-tenured coaches who operated under intense scrutiny, many now view Franchione’s record and methodology with renewed respect.

“College football is a tough business,” said CBS analyst Dennis Dodd. “Sometimes coaches are judged by their last season, not their full body of work. Fran’s career deserves celebration—and this Hall of Fame nod is the first step toward that.”

Indeed, while coaches like Nick Saban and Urban Meyer garnered headlines for decades, Franchione was often operating in the background—turning around underfunded programs, establishing off-field discipline, and introducing now-standard systems like nutrition regimens, leadership councils, and data-based player evaluations.

“He was one of the early adopters of holistic player development,” said former TCU strength coach Don Sommer. “We were doing mental performance training and recovery science before it became mainstream.”

Franchione will not be alone on the 2026 Hall of Fame ballot, which features a formidable list of names, including:

• Mark Richt, longtime Georgia and Miami head coach
• Mike Bellotti, Oregon architect and Pac-12 visionary
• Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech legend and special teams innovator
• Chris Petersen, Boise State and Washington standout
• And a host of elite players including Tim Tebow, Eric Berry, and Luke Kuechly

Voting will be conducted throughout the summer and fall by the National Football Foundation’s selection committee, with final inductees announced in December 2025.

“This is a heavyweight class,” said ESPN’s Rece Davis. “But Coach Fran belongs in the conversation. No doubt.”

Back in College Station, the news sparked a complex wave of reactions—but ultimately a tone of appreciation and pride.

“He wasn’t perfect—but who is?” said 12th Man Foundation member Travis Lockhart. “He cared about A&M. He gave us big moments. And he did it with class.”

Students walking through the Memorial Student Center were seen gathering around mobile screens, watching ESPN’s breaking coverage of the nomination. Several fans took to local radio to recall their favorite “Coach Fran” memories, from the upset win over Oklahoma State in 2005 to the “Fran Plan” quarterback rotation that, at the time, divided fans—but now earns a nostalgic chuckle.

“History has a funny way of softening the edges,” said TexAgs host Billy Liucci. “And when you zoom out, you see a man who loved this game, respected this school, and did more good than people remember.”

Franchione, now 74, lives with his wife Kim in San Antonio, where he remains active in charitable foundations, youth mentorship, and coaching clinics. He continues to speak at coaching summits and has mentored a new generation of football leaders, including sons Brad and Wes, both of whom have spent time in collegiate coaching roles.

Should he be inducted into the Hall of Fame next year, Franchione says he hopes to return to College Station for a game, where he plans to “tip his hat to the 12th Man” and personally thank Mike Elko for reviving the spark he first saw decades ago.

“I may not have won it all here,” Franchione said, “but I gave everything I had. And seeing what’s happening now—it brings me peace. I know A&M is in good hands.”

College football is not just a game of wins and losses—it’s a game of legacy, of relationships, of impact. And while Dennis Franchione’s tenure at Texas A&M may have been complex, his overall contribution to the sport is anything but.

As the Hall of Fame committee deliberates, Aggieland has a chance to reflect—not just on a coach’s record, but on the foundation he helped lay, the battles he fought, and the pride he carried in maroon and white.

And in his own words to Mike Elko, perhaps the message rings loudest for Aggies everywhere:

“Keep building. Keep believing. And never forget—once an Aggie, always an Aggie.”