Anybody have time to tell me who our assistants are and what they do?
- Thread starter Pepperman
- Start date
I think Francis' main job is to hold Fran back.
Sherman Dillard is in his eighth year with the University of Iowa men’s basketball staff bringing a wealth of expertise on and off the court.
Dillard has helped rejuvenate the Iowa basketball program since arriving at Iowa in 2010. Not only has the attendance at Carver-Hawkeye Arena increased by more than 50 percent, but Dillard has helped vault the program back to national prominence on a consistent basis. Iowa achieved its highest national since 1987, when it was ranked as high as No. 3 on Jan. 25, 2016, and was ranked in both major polls the final 11 weeks of the 2016.
Fran McCaffery and his coaching staff are the first in program history to win 18 or more games in six straight seasons (2012-17). Iowa won 20 or more games for four seasons (2013-16), its longest streak in 15 years. Additionally, Iowa has averaged 21 wins the last six seasons, with its 125 victories being the most over a six-year span since 1985-90.
Dillard has helped coached the Hawkeyes to a postseason tournament each of the last six seasons (3 NCAA, 3 NIT). Dillard has helped coach the Hawkeyes to upper division finishes each of the past five seasons, including a third place Big Ten finish and winning a game in the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and 2016. Iowa is one of only three teams to have posted a Big Ten record of .500 or better each of the last three seasons (Michigan State and Wisconsin). Iowa matched its second most victories by a Hawkeye team in 2013, reaching the NIT championship game and finishing with 25 wins.
The past seven years at Iowa Dillard helped coach 13 Hawkeyes to professional contracts, including Devyn Marble and Aaron White, who were selected by the Orlando Magic (2014) and Washington Wizards (2015) in the NBA Draft, respectively.
Dillard has helped mentor five Hawkeyes to All-Big Ten status during his tenure, including four straight seasons with an honoree on the first team: Roy Devyn Marble (2014), Aaron White (2015), Jarrod Uthoff (2016), and Peter Jok (2017). In addition to the all-conference accolades, Uthoff and Jok were All-Americans. Francis helped develop frontcourt players Gabriel Olaseni and Nicholas Baer, who were each voted Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year in 2015 and 2017, respectively. He also helped coach five All-Big Ten Freshman performers (Eric May in 2010, Melsahn Basabe in 2011, Aaron White in 2012, and Jordan Bohannon and Tyler Cook in 2017). Additionally, Dillard helped mentor Jok in becoming Iowa’s fifth Big Ten scoring champion in school history. Jok averaged 19.9 points per game, the most by a Hawkeye in 10 years.
Iowa frontcourt players enjoyed success this past season under McCaffery and the coaching staff. Baer was the only player in 2016-17 and the only Big Ten player the last 25 seasons to amass 250+ points, 40+ blocked shots, 45+ steals, and 45+ 3-pointers in a season. Freshman Cordell Pemsl broke the school single-season record for field goal percentage (.617), while Cook’s 12.3 points per game ranked fifth best among conference rookies in 2016-17.
Dillard has three decades of coaching experience, serving as a college assistant or head coach for 30 years. He spent his first 15 years as an assistant coach at three institutions. Dillard began his coaching career under Head Coach Lefty Driesell at Maryland, spending six seasons (1979-85). He helped coach the Terrapins to four 20-plus win seasons and six postseason appearances, including five NCAA Tournament berths. The 1980, 1984 and 1985 squads reached the Sweet 16, while the 1984 team won the ACC Tournament.
He then spent three years at California (1985-88) under Lou Campanelli, who was his collegiate coach at James Madison. The Bears posted two third-place Pac-10 finishes and two NIT appearances during his tenure in Berkeley. After three seasons at California, he returned to the ACC and Georgia Tech for six seasons (1988-94). While in Atlanta, he helped Head Coach Bobby Cremins lead the Yellow Jackets to six winning seasons and postseason appearances. Georgia Tech played in five NCAA Tournaments, including the Final Four in 1990 and Sweet 16 in 1992.
Dillard received his first head coaching opportunity at Indiana State of the Missouri Valley Conference (1994-97). During his three seasons in Terre Haute, the Sycamores improved each season and posted a 29-52 record. He then left Indiana State to return to his alma mater. He replaced Driesell, who served as head coach the previous nine seasons (1988-97). Dillard was the Dukes’ head coach for seven years (1997-2004). He posted a 93-106 record, sharing a league title and recording three first-division finishes in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). During his tenure, he earned CAA Coach of the Year and NABC District Coach of the Year laurels. His 10-year head coaching record stands at 122-158.
Dillard, a three-time Academic All-American and four-time honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press, played guard at James Madison (1973-78). He led the Dukes in scoring in each of his four years (missed 1976-77 with an injury) and was the team’s top rebounder as a freshman. Dillard is the second-leading scorer (2,065 points) in James Madison history, and his academic excellence merited him an NCAA post-graduate scholarship. After his collegiate career, he was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the 1978 NBA Draft. Additionally, Dillard was honored as a CAA “Legend” in 2009.
Dillard worked as a basketball marketing representative for Nike for six years (2004-10). He served as Global Camp Director, responsible for administrative and operational facets of a series of highly acclaimed camps and academies sponsored by Nike. Those camps included the Nike All-America Camp and select skills academies hosted by NBA stars such as Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Vince Carter, Amaré Stoudemire and LeBron James (until January, 2009).
Dillard is a 1978 magna cum laude James Madison graduate earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education and minor in business, and is a member of the school’s sports hall of fame.
Dillard and his wife Dena have two sons, Ben (24) and Langston (22). His son Ben was a four-year letterwinner on the Arkansas-Little Rock basketball team.
Dillard has helped rejuvenate the Iowa basketball program since arriving at Iowa in 2010. Not only has the attendance at Carver-Hawkeye Arena increased by more than 50 percent, but Dillard has helped vault the program back to national prominence on a consistent basis. Iowa achieved its highest national since 1987, when it was ranked as high as No. 3 on Jan. 25, 2016, and was ranked in both major polls the final 11 weeks of the 2016.
Fran McCaffery and his coaching staff are the first in program history to win 18 or more games in six straight seasons (2012-17). Iowa won 20 or more games for four seasons (2013-16), its longest streak in 15 years. Additionally, Iowa has averaged 21 wins the last six seasons, with its 125 victories being the most over a six-year span since 1985-90.
Dillard has helped coached the Hawkeyes to a postseason tournament each of the last six seasons (3 NCAA, 3 NIT). Dillard has helped coach the Hawkeyes to upper division finishes each of the past five seasons, including a third place Big Ten finish and winning a game in the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and 2016. Iowa is one of only three teams to have posted a Big Ten record of .500 or better each of the last three seasons (Michigan State and Wisconsin). Iowa matched its second most victories by a Hawkeye team in 2013, reaching the NIT championship game and finishing with 25 wins.
The past seven years at Iowa Dillard helped coach 13 Hawkeyes to professional contracts, including Devyn Marble and Aaron White, who were selected by the Orlando Magic (2014) and Washington Wizards (2015) in the NBA Draft, respectively.
Dillard has helped mentor five Hawkeyes to All-Big Ten status during his tenure, including four straight seasons with an honoree on the first team: Roy Devyn Marble (2014), Aaron White (2015), Jarrod Uthoff (2016), and Peter Jok (2017). In addition to the all-conference accolades, Uthoff and Jok were All-Americans. Francis helped develop frontcourt players Gabriel Olaseni and Nicholas Baer, who were each voted Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year in 2015 and 2017, respectively. He also helped coach five All-Big Ten Freshman performers (Eric May in 2010, Melsahn Basabe in 2011, Aaron White in 2012, and Jordan Bohannon and Tyler Cook in 2017). Additionally, Dillard helped mentor Jok in becoming Iowa’s fifth Big Ten scoring champion in school history. Jok averaged 19.9 points per game, the most by a Hawkeye in 10 years.
Iowa frontcourt players enjoyed success this past season under McCaffery and the coaching staff. Baer was the only player in 2016-17 and the only Big Ten player the last 25 seasons to amass 250+ points, 40+ blocked shots, 45+ steals, and 45+ 3-pointers in a season. Freshman Cordell Pemsl broke the school single-season record for field goal percentage (.617), while Cook’s 12.3 points per game ranked fifth best among conference rookies in 2016-17.
Dillard has three decades of coaching experience, serving as a college assistant or head coach for 30 years. He spent his first 15 years as an assistant coach at three institutions. Dillard began his coaching career under Head Coach Lefty Driesell at Maryland, spending six seasons (1979-85). He helped coach the Terrapins to four 20-plus win seasons and six postseason appearances, including five NCAA Tournament berths. The 1980, 1984 and 1985 squads reached the Sweet 16, while the 1984 team won the ACC Tournament.
He then spent three years at California (1985-88) under Lou Campanelli, who was his collegiate coach at James Madison. The Bears posted two third-place Pac-10 finishes and two NIT appearances during his tenure in Berkeley. After three seasons at California, he returned to the ACC and Georgia Tech for six seasons (1988-94). While in Atlanta, he helped Head Coach Bobby Cremins lead the Yellow Jackets to six winning seasons and postseason appearances. Georgia Tech played in five NCAA Tournaments, including the Final Four in 1990 and Sweet 16 in 1992.
Dillard received his first head coaching opportunity at Indiana State of the Missouri Valley Conference (1994-97). During his three seasons in Terre Haute, the Sycamores improved each season and posted a 29-52 record. He then left Indiana State to return to his alma mater. He replaced Driesell, who served as head coach the previous nine seasons (1988-97). Dillard was the Dukes’ head coach for seven years (1997-2004). He posted a 93-106 record, sharing a league title and recording three first-division finishes in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). During his tenure, he earned CAA Coach of the Year and NABC District Coach of the Year laurels. His 10-year head coaching record stands at 122-158.
Dillard, a three-time Academic All-American and four-time honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press, played guard at James Madison (1973-78). He led the Dukes in scoring in each of his four years (missed 1976-77 with an injury) and was the team’s top rebounder as a freshman. Dillard is the second-leading scorer (2,065 points) in James Madison history, and his academic excellence merited him an NCAA post-graduate scholarship. After his collegiate career, he was drafted by the Indiana Pacers in the 1978 NBA Draft. Additionally, Dillard was honored as a CAA “Legend” in 2009.
Dillard worked as a basketball marketing representative for Nike for six years (2004-10). He served as Global Camp Director, responsible for administrative and operational facets of a series of highly acclaimed camps and academies sponsored by Nike. Those camps included the Nike All-America Camp and select skills academies hosted by NBA stars such as Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Vince Carter, Amaré Stoudemire and LeBron James (until January, 2009).
Dillard is a 1978 magna cum laude James Madison graduate earning a bachelor’s degree in physical education and minor in business, and is a member of the school’s sports hall of fame.
Dillard and his wife Dena have two sons, Ben (24) and Langston (22). His son Ben was a four-year letterwinner on the Arkansas-Little Rock basketball team.
Andrew Francis is in his eighth year as an assistant coach with the Hawkeyes and 10th season on head coach Fran McCaffery’s staff. He was the first hire for McCaffery at Iowa, joining the staff on April 8, 2010.
Francis has helped rejuvenate the Iowa basketball program since arriving at Iowa in 2010. Not only has the attendance at Carver-Hawkeye Arena increased by more than 50 percent, but Francis has helped vault the program back to national prominence on a consistent basis. Iowa achieved its highest national since 1987, when it was ranked as high as No. 3 on Jan. 25, 2016, and was ranked in both major polls the final 11 weeks of the 2016.
Fran McCaffery and his coaching staff are the first in program history to win 18 or more games in six straight seasons (2012-17). Iowa won 20 or more games four straight seasons (2013-16), its longest streak in 15 years. Additionally, Iowa has averaged 21 wins the last six seasons, with its 125 victories being the most over a six-year span since 1985-90.
Francis has helped coached the Hawkeyes to a postseason tournament each of the last six seasons (3 NCAA, 3 NIT). Francis has helped coach the Hawkeyes to upper division finishes each of the past five seasons, including a third place Big Ten finish and winning a game in the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and 2016. Iowa is one of only three teams to have posted a Big Ten record of .500 or better each of the last three seasons (Michigan State and Wisconsin). Iowa matched its second most victories by a Hawkeye team in 2013, reaching the NIT championship game and finishing with 25 wins.
The past seven years at Iowa Francis helped coach 13 Hawkeyes to professional contracts, including Devyn Marble and Aaron White, who were selected by the Orlando Magic (2014) and Washington Wizards (2015) in the NBA Draft, respectively.
Francis has helped mentor five Hawkeyes to All-Big Ten status during his tenure, including four straight seasons with an honoree on the first team: Roy Devyn Marble (2014), Aaron White (2015), Jarrod Uthoff (2016), and Peter Jok (2017). In addition to the all-conference accolades, Uthoff and Jok were All-Americans. Francis helped develop frontcourt players Gabriel Olaseni and Nicholas Baer, who were each voted Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year in 2015 and 2017, respectively. He also helped coach five All-Big Ten Freshman performers (Eric May in 2010, Melsahn Basabe in 2011, Aaron White in 2012, and Jordan Bohannon and Tyler Cook in 2017). Additionally, Francis helped mentor Jok in becoming Iowa’s fifth Big Ten scoring champion in school history. Jok averaged 19.9 points per game, the most by a Hawkeye in 10 years.
Iowa frontcourt players enjoyed success this past season under McCaffery and the coaching staff. Baer was the only player in 2016-17 and the only Big Ten player the last 25 seasons to amass 250+ points, 40+ blocked shots, 45+ steals, and 45+ 3-pointers in a season. Freshman Cordell Pemsl broke the school single-season record for field goal percentage (.617), while Cook’s 12.3 points per game ranked fifth best among conference rookies in 2016-17.
Francis served three years on McCaffery's staff as an assistant coach at Siena (2007-10). While on the Saints’ coaching staff, he helped guide Siena to three straight conference titles and NCAA Tournament berths, and four consecutive 20-plus win seasons. Francis helped coach six all-conference student-athletes, two Player of the Year honorees and the league’s Sixth Man of the Year.
He arrived at the Siena program after a two year stint at Villanova University, where he served as an administrative assistant/video coordinator on Jay Wright's staff.
While at Siena, Francis assisted in all aspects of the program, including: recruiting, player development and scouting.
A Brooklyn, New York, native, Francis joined the Wildcats' staff in August, 2005. He assisted the program in a variety of roles while directing the video operations of the basketball office.
Francis is a 1992 graduate of Brooklyn’s Abraham Lincoln High School. He played basketball at Fulton Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, New York, before completing his college career under Coach Sidney Green at Long Island University-Southampton. Francis graduated in 1998 with a degree in marketing and management.
After a knee injury ended his professional playing career, Francis became a volunteer assistant coach at Concordia College. From 2003-05, he served as the head women's coach at Mt. St. Vincent College, compiling a 26-27 record. In addition, he served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Westchester Wildfire of the United States Basketball League.
Francis is married to Kim and has two stepdaughters, Chelsea and Raven.
Francis has helped rejuvenate the Iowa basketball program since arriving at Iowa in 2010. Not only has the attendance at Carver-Hawkeye Arena increased by more than 50 percent, but Francis has helped vault the program back to national prominence on a consistent basis. Iowa achieved its highest national since 1987, when it was ranked as high as No. 3 on Jan. 25, 2016, and was ranked in both major polls the final 11 weeks of the 2016.
Fran McCaffery and his coaching staff are the first in program history to win 18 or more games in six straight seasons (2012-17). Iowa won 20 or more games four straight seasons (2013-16), its longest streak in 15 years. Additionally, Iowa has averaged 21 wins the last six seasons, with its 125 victories being the most over a six-year span since 1985-90.
Francis has helped coached the Hawkeyes to a postseason tournament each of the last six seasons (3 NCAA, 3 NIT). Francis has helped coach the Hawkeyes to upper division finishes each of the past five seasons, including a third place Big Ten finish and winning a game in the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and 2016. Iowa is one of only three teams to have posted a Big Ten record of .500 or better each of the last three seasons (Michigan State and Wisconsin). Iowa matched its second most victories by a Hawkeye team in 2013, reaching the NIT championship game and finishing with 25 wins.
The past seven years at Iowa Francis helped coach 13 Hawkeyes to professional contracts, including Devyn Marble and Aaron White, who were selected by the Orlando Magic (2014) and Washington Wizards (2015) in the NBA Draft, respectively.
Francis has helped mentor five Hawkeyes to All-Big Ten status during his tenure, including four straight seasons with an honoree on the first team: Roy Devyn Marble (2014), Aaron White (2015), Jarrod Uthoff (2016), and Peter Jok (2017). In addition to the all-conference accolades, Uthoff and Jok were All-Americans. Francis helped develop frontcourt players Gabriel Olaseni and Nicholas Baer, who were each voted Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year in 2015 and 2017, respectively. He also helped coach five All-Big Ten Freshman performers (Eric May in 2010, Melsahn Basabe in 2011, Aaron White in 2012, and Jordan Bohannon and Tyler Cook in 2017). Additionally, Francis helped mentor Jok in becoming Iowa’s fifth Big Ten scoring champion in school history. Jok averaged 19.9 points per game, the most by a Hawkeye in 10 years.
Iowa frontcourt players enjoyed success this past season under McCaffery and the coaching staff. Baer was the only player in 2016-17 and the only Big Ten player the last 25 seasons to amass 250+ points, 40+ blocked shots, 45+ steals, and 45+ 3-pointers in a season. Freshman Cordell Pemsl broke the school single-season record for field goal percentage (.617), while Cook’s 12.3 points per game ranked fifth best among conference rookies in 2016-17.
Francis served three years on McCaffery's staff as an assistant coach at Siena (2007-10). While on the Saints’ coaching staff, he helped guide Siena to three straight conference titles and NCAA Tournament berths, and four consecutive 20-plus win seasons. Francis helped coach six all-conference student-athletes, two Player of the Year honorees and the league’s Sixth Man of the Year.
He arrived at the Siena program after a two year stint at Villanova University, where he served as an administrative assistant/video coordinator on Jay Wright's staff.
While at Siena, Francis assisted in all aspects of the program, including: recruiting, player development and scouting.
A Brooklyn, New York, native, Francis joined the Wildcats' staff in August, 2005. He assisted the program in a variety of roles while directing the video operations of the basketball office.
Francis is a 1992 graduate of Brooklyn’s Abraham Lincoln High School. He played basketball at Fulton Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, New York, before completing his college career under Coach Sidney Green at Long Island University-Southampton. Francis graduated in 1998 with a degree in marketing and management.
After a knee injury ended his professional playing career, Francis became a volunteer assistant coach at Concordia College. From 2003-05, he served as the head women's coach at Mt. St. Vincent College, compiling a 26-27 record. In addition, he served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Westchester Wildfire of the United States Basketball League.
Francis is married to Kim and has two stepdaughters, Chelsea and Raven.
Kirk Speraw is in his eighth year as an assistant coach at Iowa. Speraw, who has over three decades of coaching experience, assists in all aspects of the program including recruiting, opponent scouting, practices, player development and game preparation.
Spearw has helped rejuvenate the Iowa basketball program since arriving at Iowa in 2010. Not only has the attendance at Carver-Hawkeye Arena increased by more than 50 percent, but Speraw has helped vault the program back to national prominence on a consistent basis. Iowa achieved its highest national since 1987, when it was ranked as high as No. 3 on Jan. 25, 2016, and was ranked in both major polls the final 11 weeks of the 2016.
Fran McCaffery and his coaching staff are the first in program history to win 18 or more games in six straight seasons (2012-17). Iowa won 20 or more games for four seasons (2013-16), its longest streak in 15 years. Additionally, Iowa has averaged 21 wins the last six seasons, with its 125 victories being the most over a six-year span since 1985-90.
Speraw has helped coached the Hawkeyes to a postseason tournament each of the last six seasons (3 NCAA, 3 NIT). Speraw has helped coach the Hawkeyes to upper division finishes each of the past five seasons, including a third place Big Ten finish and winning a game in the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and 2016. Iowa is one of only three teams to have posted a Big Ten record of .500 or better each of the last three seasons (Michigan State and Wisconsin). Iowa matched its second most victories by a Hawkeye team in 2013, reaching the NIT championship game and finishing with 25 wins.
The past seven years at Iowa Speraw helped coach 13 Hawkeyes to professional contracts, including Devyn Marble and Aaron White, who were selected by the Orlando Magic (2014) and Washington Wizards (2015) in the NBA Draft, respectively.
Speraw has helped mentor five Hawkeyes to All-Big Ten status during his tenure, including four straight seasons with an honoree on the first team: Roy Devyn Marble (2014), Aaron White (2015), Jarrod Uthoff (2016), and Peter Jok (2017). In addition to the all-conference accolades, Uthoff and Jok were All-Americans. Francis helped develop frontcourt players Gabriel Olaseni and Nicholas Baer, who were each voted Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year in 2015 and 2017, respectively. He also helped coach five All-Big Ten Freshman performers (Eric May in 2010, Melsahn Basabe in 2011, Aaron White in 2012, and Jordan Bohannon and Tyler Cook in 2017).
Speraw was the primary assistant who worked with Iowa’s perimeter players. This past season, shooting guard Peter Jok became Iowa’s fifth Big Ten scoring champion in school history, averaging 19.9 points per game. Jok also established new school free throw records in single-game makes (22), career percentage (.864), and single-season accuracy (.911). Speraw also helped mentor point guard Jordan Bohannon to historic heights. Bohannon shattered the team’s freshman single-season record in assists (175) and 3-pointers made (89). Bohannon also became the first player in school history to register three consecutive double-doubles in points and assists). Jok and Bohannon combined for 174 triples, the most by a duo in a single season at Iowa.
Speraw, who is a Sioux City, Iowa, native was a two-time Hawkeye letterman (1978-79) who played for head coach Lute Olson. He was a member of the 1978-79 squad that won 20 contests and a Big Ten title. As a senior, he was named the team’s most inspirational player.
As both an assistant and head coach, Speraw has mentored dozens of players who have played professionally, including Hawkeyes Ronnie Lester, Steve Krafcisin, Vince Brookins, Steve Waite, Kenny Arnold, Kevin Boyle, Mark Gannon and Bobby Hansen.
Speraw began his coaching career with the Hawkeyes, serving as a graduate assistant with Iowa’s 1979-80 team that advanced to the Final Four. The Hawkeyes went 23-8 that season. Speraw then moved to Denver University, where he was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for two years (1980-82).
Speraw joined the Hawkeyes after serving 17 years as head coach at the University of Central Florida (1993-2010). During his tenure, 18 of his players received all-league honors, including four first team honorees. Additionally, since the start of the 1993-94 season, 54 of Speraw’s UCF student-athletes earned academic all-conference recognition.
His tenure included four NCAA Tournament berths (1994, ’96, ’04 and ‘05). In 2006-07, he was recognized as Conference USA Coach of the Year after guiding the Knights to 22 victories and a second place league finish. His most successful season at UCF was in 2003-04, when the Knights finished 25-6, received votes in the top 25 and won the Atlantic Sun championship, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Prior to his head coaching job at UCF, he served as an assistant coach at the University of Florida for three seasons (1990-93) under Head Coach Lon Kruger. While on the Florida staff, the Gators participated in two NIT’s, including advancing to the semifinals in 1992.
Prior to his three years in Gainesville, Speraw was the head coach at Pensacola Junior College (PJC) from 1987-90. At PJC, he led the Pirates to an 82-21 record and three consecutive Panhandle Conference titles. His 1989-90 team won 31 games and finished fifth nationally. The team’s success that year earned Speraw national recognition. He was tabbed the NABC/Kodak National Junior College Coach of the Year, as well as the state’s Coach of the Year.
Speraw also had a coaching stop at Florida Southern, serving as an assistant from 1982-87. The Moccasins posted a 100-46 record and made four appearances in the Division II NCAA Tournament, including a third-place finish in 1986.
Speraw and his wife, Tracy (an Iowa City native), have two sons, Drew and Dustin, and two daughters, Brooke and Bailey. Drew played for his dad at Central Florida for four years.
Spearw has helped rejuvenate the Iowa basketball program since arriving at Iowa in 2010. Not only has the attendance at Carver-Hawkeye Arena increased by more than 50 percent, but Speraw has helped vault the program back to national prominence on a consistent basis. Iowa achieved its highest national since 1987, when it was ranked as high as No. 3 on Jan. 25, 2016, and was ranked in both major polls the final 11 weeks of the 2016.
Fran McCaffery and his coaching staff are the first in program history to win 18 or more games in six straight seasons (2012-17). Iowa won 20 or more games for four seasons (2013-16), its longest streak in 15 years. Additionally, Iowa has averaged 21 wins the last six seasons, with its 125 victories being the most over a six-year span since 1985-90.
Speraw has helped coached the Hawkeyes to a postseason tournament each of the last six seasons (3 NCAA, 3 NIT). Speraw has helped coach the Hawkeyes to upper division finishes each of the past five seasons, including a third place Big Ten finish and winning a game in the NCAA Tournament in 2015 and 2016. Iowa is one of only three teams to have posted a Big Ten record of .500 or better each of the last three seasons (Michigan State and Wisconsin). Iowa matched its second most victories by a Hawkeye team in 2013, reaching the NIT championship game and finishing with 25 wins.
The past seven years at Iowa Speraw helped coach 13 Hawkeyes to professional contracts, including Devyn Marble and Aaron White, who were selected by the Orlando Magic (2014) and Washington Wizards (2015) in the NBA Draft, respectively.
Speraw has helped mentor five Hawkeyes to All-Big Ten status during his tenure, including four straight seasons with an honoree on the first team: Roy Devyn Marble (2014), Aaron White (2015), Jarrod Uthoff (2016), and Peter Jok (2017). In addition to the all-conference accolades, Uthoff and Jok were All-Americans. Francis helped develop frontcourt players Gabriel Olaseni and Nicholas Baer, who were each voted Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year in 2015 and 2017, respectively. He also helped coach five All-Big Ten Freshman performers (Eric May in 2010, Melsahn Basabe in 2011, Aaron White in 2012, and Jordan Bohannon and Tyler Cook in 2017).
Speraw was the primary assistant who worked with Iowa’s perimeter players. This past season, shooting guard Peter Jok became Iowa’s fifth Big Ten scoring champion in school history, averaging 19.9 points per game. Jok also established new school free throw records in single-game makes (22), career percentage (.864), and single-season accuracy (.911). Speraw also helped mentor point guard Jordan Bohannon to historic heights. Bohannon shattered the team’s freshman single-season record in assists (175) and 3-pointers made (89). Bohannon also became the first player in school history to register three consecutive double-doubles in points and assists). Jok and Bohannon combined for 174 triples, the most by a duo in a single season at Iowa.
Speraw, who is a Sioux City, Iowa, native was a two-time Hawkeye letterman (1978-79) who played for head coach Lute Olson. He was a member of the 1978-79 squad that won 20 contests and a Big Ten title. As a senior, he was named the team’s most inspirational player.
As both an assistant and head coach, Speraw has mentored dozens of players who have played professionally, including Hawkeyes Ronnie Lester, Steve Krafcisin, Vince Brookins, Steve Waite, Kenny Arnold, Kevin Boyle, Mark Gannon and Bobby Hansen.
Speraw began his coaching career with the Hawkeyes, serving as a graduate assistant with Iowa’s 1979-80 team that advanced to the Final Four. The Hawkeyes went 23-8 that season. Speraw then moved to Denver University, where he was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for two years (1980-82).
Speraw joined the Hawkeyes after serving 17 years as head coach at the University of Central Florida (1993-2010). During his tenure, 18 of his players received all-league honors, including four first team honorees. Additionally, since the start of the 1993-94 season, 54 of Speraw’s UCF student-athletes earned academic all-conference recognition.
His tenure included four NCAA Tournament berths (1994, ’96, ’04 and ‘05). In 2006-07, he was recognized as Conference USA Coach of the Year after guiding the Knights to 22 victories and a second place league finish. His most successful season at UCF was in 2003-04, when the Knights finished 25-6, received votes in the top 25 and won the Atlantic Sun championship, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Prior to his head coaching job at UCF, he served as an assistant coach at the University of Florida for three seasons (1990-93) under Head Coach Lon Kruger. While on the Florida staff, the Gators participated in two NIT’s, including advancing to the semifinals in 1992.
Prior to his three years in Gainesville, Speraw was the head coach at Pensacola Junior College (PJC) from 1987-90. At PJC, he led the Pirates to an 82-21 record and three consecutive Panhandle Conference titles. His 1989-90 team won 31 games and finished fifth nationally. The team’s success that year earned Speraw national recognition. He was tabbed the NABC/Kodak National Junior College Coach of the Year, as well as the state’s Coach of the Year.
Speraw also had a coaching stop at Florida Southern, serving as an assistant from 1982-87. The Moccasins posted a 100-46 record and made four appearances in the Division II NCAA Tournament, including a third-place finish in 1986.
Speraw and his wife, Tracy (an Iowa City native), have two sons, Drew and Dustin, and two daughters, Brooke and Bailey. Drew played for his dad at Central Florida for four years.
Speraw his #2 as we've seen when Fran has been tossed he takes over and has 20+ years of being a Head Coach. Dillard was brought here to recruit. Came in from working with Nike and all his connections with AAU teams etc. He was main guy in on getting Cook and Garza. The others your guess is as good as mine.
Unfortunately they are on the remedial program and have yet to pass any proficiency tests on this subject
It would seem that one of these Assistants could figure out how to get a
reasonably quick, guard, with handles to appear in Iowa City. That's my main criticism of the assistants.
GO HAWKS
A friend of mine here in Louisville played for Speraw @ UCF and speaks extremely highly about him. Loved him as a coach and talks about how well he knows the game and communicates.
When Fran got tossed (IU game I think) - Kirk took over and they really made a nice 2nd half run before running out of gas. I sometimes wonder if Fran quit/left/was fired if he wouldn't be an upgrade
When Fran got tossed (IU game I think) - Kirk took over and they really made a nice 2nd half run before running out of gas. I sometimes wonder if Fran quit/left/was fired if he wouldn't be an upgrade
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