Damage Control at Texas A&M

On a day Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione announced that "I have no intention of resigning this position," another problem cropped up.

The Dallas Morning News published several editions of "VIP Connection," a secret newsletter sent to selected Aggie boosters who paid $1,200 a year for inside information.

Some highlights of the newsletter, written by Mike McKenzie, Franchione's personal assistant:

—An incident where a guy crashed a party and threatened players John Ray and Jaxson Appel with a steak knife.

—Announcing the dismissal of defensive coordinator Carl Torbush 45 minutes before a release was issued by the sports information office.

—Plan to get Texas Tech linebackers in mismatches before a 2006 game.

—Word that safety Brock Newton and defensive tackle Red Bryant would miss a 2006 game against Baylor. "Obviously, highly highly confidential, because we're not even going to inform our radio announcers beforehand." (Wiz note: Always handy information for the gambler.)

—Key points of emphasis in the game plan for the 2006 matchup against Texas.

—On this season's game against Fresno State: "We'll try to work the outside edge, spread them out, so that when we want to go in with J-Lane in Fresno's smashmouth style we hopefully have them on their heels a bit. We scripted 14 plays in the sequence — half runs, half passes. First play goes to Goodson, and second is a zone-read on which McGee either pitches to Goodson or keeps."

—And the last report, published on Sept. 13: "Gentlemen, I have sad news. Coach Fran asked me to let you know he learned that some members of the media have obtained a copy or one or more of our VIP Connection reports, and some are upset that it exists. Therefore, Coach Fran has decided it is best to shut it down."

Texas A&M officials have launched an inquiry to determine if anything in Franchione's VIP newsletter violated NCAA rules.