Franco came to Fordham from Dickinson High School in Jersey City, New Jersey and became the tackle for what has been one of the most legendary football groups of all time: the "Seven Blocks of Granite." His team lead coach Jim Crowley's squad to a 12-1-3 mark in 1936 and 1937 posting eight shutouts while holding opponents to less than three points a game over that stretch. The Rams finished the `36 season with a number 15 ranking in the final Associated Press poll and a number three ranking in the final '37 poll.
 
Following graduation, Franco moved on to the coaching ranks, starting the program at St. Michael's High School in Union City, New Jersey in 1938. He then moved on to the collegiate ranks, joining the staff of "The Iron Major" Frank Cavanaugh in 1939. Franco was part of Cavanaugh's staff for six seasons, including the Cotton and Sugar Bowl teams of 1940 and '41 respectively.
 
Following the war, Franco played a year of professional football with the Boston Yanks and then resumed his coaching career as head of the Jersey City Giants of the semi-pro American Football Conference. He ended his coaching career in 1951 until 1965 when former teammate Lombardi asked him to join his staff as a scout for the NFL's Green Bay Packers. He moved with Lombardi from the Packers to the Washing Redskins in 1969, and retired from scouting after Lombardi's passing in 1971.