Having your teams back

[HawksAndChiefs24]

There is something to be said about a coach who is loyal to his players. One who stands for what he believes in regardless of the opinions of national media, or even his higher-ups. You know Barta has had more than one sit down talk with Fran about his antics but what it comes down to is... It's who the guy is.

He has passion he sometimes can't control. He isn't perfect, by any means. I won't condone every action he makes while representing the U of I but what I will condone is he would do anything for his players. Fran doesn't act with malicious intent. He isn't trying to make a scene to end up on ESPN. He just genuinely puts his heart and soul in to each game, whether it be against school of the blind or MSU. If he believes his kids are getting screwed by the refs or his players were mistreated in any way then he blows a gasket.


When an opposing team comes in your house and handles themselves the way UND did those last couple minutes you don't owe them crap. That was Busch league. Take your check and get the hell out of town. I'm still convinced Brian Jones had his mortgage on UND +11 and am way more happy than I should be that last basket didn't count. I am proud to support this young team and Fran McCaffery. It will be a volatile season with ups and downs but it is important to enjoy the ride and focus on the bigger picture. Iowa basketball is in a very good place and is not going away any time soon.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

This is not an "I have your back moment".

 

[DavenportHawk8]

People are blowing this thing way out of proportion. The guy didn't shake the coaches hand and his players didn't either. Do you know there are high school associations that don't condone that at all. They tell their teams not to shake hands.

Fran was upset and for fear of "saying something" he would regret OR one of this players saying something they would regret, they removed themselves from the conversation. I have no problem with it.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

If you have fear of saying something you will regret than you have a hard time controlling your emotions. That is a problem for a coach in end of game situations.

 

[DavenportHawk8]

If you have fear of saying something you will regret than you have a hard time controlling your emotions. That is a problem for a coach in end of game situations.

I can think of Tom Crean having a BIG issue with that. Also I can think of probably 100 coaches who have the same problem.

These guys are in "high pressure" situations and the emphasis that is placed on winning now a days. These guys are under immense pressure to succeed and when an opponent starts reverting to cheap shots and garage play, I can bet 90% of coaches/athletes will have the same response.

 

[DanL53]

If you have fear of saying something you will regret than you have a hard time controlling your emotions. That is a problem for a coach in end of game situations.

That is dead freagin' wrong. Everyone has emotions, and controlling them includes walking away from what is causing the irritation.

That's not even up for debate it's Proper Conduct 101.

 

[Mohawkeye]

This is not an "I have your back moment".

Disagree. His players were getting pummeled. You can disagree on whether he showed his support in the right way, but this was all about Fran standing up to the bullying his players were taking.

 

[MepoDawg#]

This is not an "I have your back moment".

No, it was a we don't play like that and neither should you moment. Still a teaching moment.

 

[Bulldogs1974]

That is dead freagin' wrong. Everyone has emotions, and controlling them includes walking away from what is causing the irritation.

That's not even up for debate it's Proper Conduct 101.

Um, no. Fran has a track record of late game collapses to act as though there is no correlation is crazy. Fran's late game coaching has always been an issue. I'm not looking up the stats as they've been posted here before but his win/lose in close games is bad.
I like Fran, that's not what this is about. Fran does have deficiencies, like all of us, that he needs to work on. This situation is certainly one of them.
While i will agree that walking away is the correct response in most cases, just not in sports and this case specifically.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

I think it was you, DanL, that made a reference to Spock and Kirk in another thread.

Count me solidly in the Spock camp.

When it comes to desirable outcomes, I've seen a much better track record for the ones that keep their cool in tense situations than those that react based on their emotions.

 

[DanL53]

Um, no. Fran has a track record of late game collapses to act as though there is no correlation is crazy. Fran's late game coaching has always been an issue. I'm not looking up the stats as they've been posted here before but his win/lose in close games is bad.
I like Fran, that's not what this is about. Fran does have deficiencies, like all of us, that he needs to work on. This situation is certainly one of them.
While i will agree that walking away is the correct response in most cases, just not in sports and this case specifically.

I think it was you, DanL, that made a reference to Spock and Kirk in another thread.

Count me solidly in the Spock camp.

When it comes to desirable outcomes, I've seen a much better track record for the ones that keep their cool in tense situations than those that react based on their emotions.

I've heard what you both have to say. And disagree with almost every drop of it. That's ok as I'm sure you disagree with me as well. And it doesn't bother me a bit.

But I'll say this, again, the longer we talk about this issue, the bigger a deal we make of it, (In my opinion) the lower the credibility is that any of the three of us could have handled walking up to Jones and shaking his hand. We can't even control ourselves to stop arguing over Fran's decision to walk away.

I admit to it. But I also think I can be the first one to show some control and let this completely minor issue in the scheme of things rest in peace.

So, thanks for the conversation. And best of luck to the Hawkeyes!

 

[SDHawkDoc]

I've heard what you both have to say. And disagree with almost every drop of it. That's ok as I'm sure you disagree with me as well. And it doesn't bother me a bit.

But I'll say this, again, the longer we talk about this issue, the bigger a deal we make of it, (In my opinion) the lower the credibility is that any of the three of us could have handled walking up to Jones and shaking his hand. We can't even control ourselves to stop arguing over Fran's decision to walk away.

I admit to it. But I also think I can be the first one to show some control and let this completely minor issue in the scheme of things rest in peace.

So, thanks for the conversation. And best of luck to the Hawkeyes!

<shakes hands, walks away>

 

[HawksAndChiefs24]

This is not an "I have your back moment".

You don't think Jok getting crushed, Bohannon getting lipped at by Jones for a clear flop or Baer getting borderline molested with 3 seconds to go had anything to do with his reaction?

Fran knows Jok could have went pro after last year (I think we can all agree he was far from ready and even now has a ceiling as a role player in the NBA, but that is besides the point). It is his duty to do anything in his power to help Jok reach that level. If that means not shaking hands and voicing his concerns then maybe it is a warning shot for what could cause another knee injury for Jok down the road this season. Farfetched? Maybe a little, but the merit behind it is not.

If the things that were said to Bohannon by Jones were said to ANY collegiate player I would hope their coach would stand up for them. This one is a no brainer for me. Bohannon can't mouth off back... He, in theory, has to be at peace with being called a "f***** prick" by a man more than 25 years his elder.

The Baer incident was just pure Busch league. You know the players wanted to have some words so why let them? Why let an incident escalate beyond a story that will have its 12 hours of fame?

THAT is having your teams back. The logistics behind the situation make it clear. It wasn't about Fran just pouting because they tried to score a quick bucket at the end. It proves a point to his players and should to us as fans, as well.

 

[luvmyhawks]

Um, no. Fran has a track record of late game collapses to act as though there is no correlation is crazy. Fran's late game coaching has always been an issue. I'm not looking up the stats as they've been posted here before but his win/lose in close games is bad.
I like Fran, that's not what this is about. Fran does have deficiencies, like all of us, that he needs to work on. This situation is certainly one of them.
While i will agree that walking away is the correct response in most cases, just not in sports and this case specifically.

That sure is one tall horse you rode in on today.