I agree it has to be hurting recruiting. And if I had to bet, I'd bet he's going to the NBA.
However, in each of the two previous years he was interviewed semi-formally about jobs in the NBA, and he made no public statement about that, either at the time or later.
There's never been any question in the minds of most ISU fans that Fred wants to coach in the NBA. He's said so, for one thing, which is a pretty good clue. His contract has a $2 million buyout if he goes to another college job, but only $500K if he goes to the NBA, which is chump change.
Most of us thought he would stay until he won a league championship and/or his kids were out of school. That seemed logical for any number of reasons. It still does, for that matter. And you can argue his health situation in several ways. (1) It isn't relevant, which is his position; (2) it's a reminder that his time might be limited and thus an incentive to go to the NBA if a good opportunity is presented; (3) it's a reminder that his time might be limited and thus an incentive to stay at ISU where he can spend more time with his family; (4) it isn't an idea situation for the additional stress that would come with an NBA job.
But yeah, it has to be hurting recruiting, and it should.