Insight On Lobos: Coach Stays Course

For Dennis Franchione and his New Mexico players there is no talk of goodbyes, no time for emotions.

Arizona is all that matters. Texas and tears can wait.

New Mexico (9-3) ends one of its most successful seasons in school history today when it faces Arizona (6-5) in the Insight.com Bowl. It will be the Lobos’ first bowl game in 36 years and Franchione’s last game as head of the program he spent six seasons rebuilding.

Franchione resigned two weeks ago to take the head coaching job at TCU. Lobos players, however, wanted him to coach them through the bowl game and he agreed.

Both the players and Franchione say it has been business as usual on the practice field this week in Tucson.

“I’ve tried to take myself out of this equation as much as possible,” Franchione said Friday. “The focus needs to be with them (players). The emotions, I’m sure will have to be dealt with at some point and time, but right now, I just want to get them ready to play and play well.”

Franchione and the team spent part of Christmas Day exchanging gifts. It was, said Franchione, an opportunity to rekindle the spirit of this season.

“It’s the part of this week I’ve enjoyed the most,” he said. “To see the special, family-type feelings that this team has had.”

Quarterback Graham Leigh said the relationship between players and coach since he took the TCU job has been akin to an amiable divorce.

“Once we found out coach was leaving, we came together as a family and realized we had to stick together as a team,” Leigh said. “We know we’re the ones that are going to be here next year and Coach Fran will be somewhere else.”