Did he ever. After a 3-5 start, Alabama won its final four games his first season. The late roll included beating rival Auburn 31-7, then the first bowl victory in five seasons.

Everyone was deflated a few months later when the NCAA pounded the program for misdeeds by Franchione's predecessor: a two-year bowl ban, 21 scholarship cuts over three seasons, five years' probation -- and threats of more.

But Franchione stood strong. He vowed to last through it and convinced players to stay; not one transferred. The school showed its appreciation by offering a 10-year extension reportedly worth $15 million, even though Franchione had four years left on his original contract.

He never signed the new deal, but nobody seemed to care -- especially not once the Tide started rising. By mid-November they were 9-2, ranked No. 9 and had already clinched the best record in the SEC West.

Then, as Alabama was preparing for Auburn, reports surfaced that A&M was going to fire R.C. Slocum, the winningest coach in school history, and hire Franchione. Franchione called the notion "idiotic" and indicated he'd sign the extension soon.

He continued denying interest all the way until boarding a private jet bound for College Station on Dec. 5.

Franchione left for an interview and never came back, not even to say goodbye to his players. He told them via video teleconference, a final act of betrayal that powerful booster Lee Roy Jordan, a former star linebacker for Alabama and the Dallas Cowboys, calls "the biggest complaint we have."

Franchione insists he "always cared deeply about the players." That's about as in-depth as he's willing to get on the issue.

"No matter what I say, I'll end up on the negative side," Franchione said. Later, he added, "When you make a move, there are a lot of things that not everybody understands or sees. You have to know that and not let it bother you. I never let it bother me."

Good thing, because the backlash was severe.

A Birmingham radio station let fans torch, chop and mangle Franchione bobblehead dolls. Newspapers ridiculed him for false promises and for having touted loyalty, honesty and accountability on his Web site.

Part of the venom was because Alabama had never been jilted like this. Franchione's two-year tenure was the shortest since 1910. He was only the second coach since 1930 to leave for another college.

How well I remember reporting that on radio with Curt Lewis. Quite sad. I didn't think their solution was safe enough eiher. But good to see how spirited you are!

Posted by: MICHAEL MANNING | November 26, 2005 12:53 PM

Although I am not and never will be a Longhorn fan (God bless you, Amy, I love you, but we're never going to see eye-to-eye on college football so it's probably better left undiscussed) (Boomer Sooner), I do see your point about A&M being cult-like. It's definitely a culture all its own.

Posted by: GradualDazzle | November 26, 2005 11:06 PM

A&M is full of tradition indeed. I never once took a "Class" at A&M to show me any of them. I learned them all from my grandfather, father, uncles and cousins. It is no wonder they call them traditions, because they are! I am proud of Texas A&M and the unity they have brought to the school and my family. It looks like you are talking out of anger and, well, almost JEALOUSY. At least we don't proud ourselves in being wierd, because let me tell you, that is all that you will see at t.u.
On the other hand, I congragulate you guys on your national title. But you know what they say, the bigger they are, the bigger they fall. From '84 to '94, A&M won 10 of the 11 games. From '95 to '05 t.u. won 9 of the 11 games. We are just in a fluctuation. Our time will come. ON the other hand, your time is past so I hope you enjoyed it!

Posted by: Antonio | January 20, 2006 10:32 PM