January 20, 2006
Texas A&M Head Football Coach Dennis Franchione will serve as the head coach of the West squad in the annual East-West Shrine Game presented by AT&T on Saturday, Jan. 21. The game will be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio with kickoff set for 3 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally by ESPN2.
"I am very excited and honored to serve as the head coach of the West squad in the East-West Shrine All-Star Game," Coach Fran said. "This is one of the most prestigious all-star games in the country. I am proud to play a part of the first Shrine game played in the great state of Texas."
Joining Coach Fran are five Texas Aggies: quarterback Reggie McNeal (from Lufkin), tight end and deep snapper Boone Stutz (from Arlington), wide receiver Jason Carter (from Caldwell), defensive lineman Johnny Jolly (Houston) and defensive back Jaxson Appel (from Friendswood).
"I am proud of our guys and they have reported in good shape and appear ready," Coach Fran added. "I am also proud of the fact all five of our guys played high school football in the state of Texas."
Coach Fran's offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, Les Koenning, Jr. will serve in the same capacity during the game and Brad Franchione, the head coach of Blinn College will serve as defensive coordinator.
This marks the 81st game pitting college all-stars on the gridiron and for the first time since the game's inception, the game will be played outside of the San Francisco area. The game is played to help raise money and awareness for the orthopedic and burn care available at 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children at no cost. To date, the game has raised over $14 million and has treated over 750,000 children.
EAST-WEST SHRINE GAME Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas 3 pm on ESPN2 West Head Coach: Dennis Franchione West Offensive Coordinator: Les Koenning, Jr. (Off. Coor/Texas A&M) West Defensive Coordinator: Brad Franchione (Head Coach/Blinn College) Jersey Name Pos. Hometown 1 Reggie McNeal QB Lufkin 11 Jaxson Appel DB Friendswood 12 Jason Carter WR Caldwell 88 Boone Stutz TE/DS Arlington 97 Johnny Jolly DL Houston