Franchione will serve as a commentator for ESPN Radio beginning Aug. 30 with the Alabama vs. Clemson game, he said. The remainder of the schedule was unclear Tuesday.

"I'm very excited to stay close to college football this season and obviously feel very good about being associated with ESPN," Franchione said.

Other contract details weren't immediately available, and ESPN officials would not confirm the contract Tuesday.

Dan Quinn, ESPN associate manager of communications in Connecticut, said the company had yet to announce its upcoming schedule or its talent roster but suggested the information could be released in coming weeks.

Franchione abruptly resigned his post last November just minutes after the Aggies upset the 11th-ranked Texas Longhorns, 38-30. The move ended a tumultuous year that included a scandal in which the coach was accused of selling private team information via subscriptions to a secret e-mail newsletter.

His tenure tarnished by NCAA infractions and losses on the field, Franchione -- a former coach at Texas Christian University and Alabama -- essentially was forced to quit after five years at the helm of Aggie football after many A&M alumni and administrators had expressed disappointment in his performance.

Franchione said he auditioned with ESPN earlier this year in Bristol, Conn. He only recently learned he had been selected for ESPN Radio, he said.

• Holly Huffman's e-mail address is holly.huffman@theeagle.com.