How long does Fran get?

[hexumhawk]

Let me preface this by saying that I love aspects of Fran's coaching and style.

The depths that we were in during the Lick years cannot be understated. We were AWFUL and had almost zero recruiting momentum. For Fran to come in and build on that every year and get us to the tourney was an amazing feat.

The issue I have is our lack of mental toughness in games that are close and I feel some of that is a direct correlation with Fran's attitude and demeanor. I am not sold that he will ever be able to get us over the hump in the next 3-4 years. Last years team was a perfect example of under performing down the stretch run.

So this is year 7 and I gave him a pass for the first 3 years.

I think he gets another 3 year block to show he can take it up a notch and gets his own kids in the system that are highly rated. Have a lot of good recruits coming down the pipe to go with a strong Frosh class.

 

[Hawkatheart]

I hope this is a joke!

 

[RLMHAWK]

I think Fran is a lot like Kirk. A good fit for Iowa, and gets as long as he wants, barring any scandals.

 

[hexumhawk]

I think Fran is a lot like Kirk. A good fit for Iowa, and gets as long as he wants, barring any scandals.

Whoooo buddy.

Fran has 0 conference titles and has gotten to the second round once. Why does he get as long as he wants at Iowa?

 

[Hawkeyestate81]

Whoooo buddy.

Fran has 0 conference titles and has gotten to the second round once. Why does he get as long as he wants at Iowa?

He gets at minimum 3 years from this season with what he has accomplished and current roster and future recruits, and after that lifetime contract as buckle up we are going on a great ride.

 

[djwoody]

Good grief the man took over a horrific program that had only 3 NCAA appearances in 11 years before he arrived and put together 4 straight 20 win seasons (the last time that happened, Dr. Tom with 5)...what do you want?

The style of play is fun, the kids stay out of trouble. Fran can stay as long as he wants.

 

[ABYPFCS]

Good grief the man took over a horrific program that had only 3 NCAA appearances in 11 years before he arrived and put together 4 straight 20 win seasons (the last time that happened, Dr. Tom with 5)...what do you want?

The style of play is fun, the kids stay out of trouble. Fran can stay as long as he wants.

That makes sense to me, but people often assume that a replacement for a head coach will be an upgrade. As we know, this is not always the case.

 

[CAhawki]

He gets at minimum 3 years from this season with what he has accomplished and current roster and future recruits, and after that lifetime contract as buckle up we are going on a great ride.

I think this is the most accurate. People didnt expect much out of this team, but they have shown that they can hang. Next year will be an indicator of what Fran has built and capable of. If we see another late season collapse... time to reevaluate.

 

[TailgateTom]

I do not think this team is mentally weak.

 

[HawkAttackDial911]

Mental toughness is on the players not Fran. However, Fran's sets and use of timeouts at the end of games leaves a lot to be desired. And they need to bring someone onto the coaching staff who teaches defense. A complete reset isn't needed at this time but Fran does need to learn and evolve.

 

[hexumhawk]

Mental toughness is on the players not Fran. However, Fran's sets and use of timeouts at the end of games leaves a lot to be desired. And they need to bring someone onto the coaching staff who teaches defense. A complete reset isn't needed at this time but Fran does need to learn and evolve.

Well thought out post! I agree.

 

[TampaHawkfan]

Whoooo buddy.

Fran has 0 conference titles and has gotten to the second round once. Why does he get as long as he wants at Iowa?

Twice actually (wins over Davidson & Temple).

My take: You've got to also look at what Fran inherited. The first couple years at least, there should have been zero expectations to make the dance. Since those first two seasons (second year was an NIT appearance) he had a run to the NIT finals, for what it's worth, and then 3 straight NCAA bids, even if you count the first one as a play-in round. The point is, that up until this year, the trajectory has been steadily upwards. So now we're having a rebuilding year and we're seriously having this discussion?

No, I don't believe any coach should ever completely get a free pass, but based on what he's done so far, Fran should be safe for at least 2 more years after this one IMO. That doesn't mean there isn't some room for improvement in some areas (defense & rebounding stand out to me).

This year is what it is - a down year after losing most of your starting 5. It happens. Now, if they don't bounce back next year, and especially the year after that, then yeah - Fran's seat should get hotter. Let's just see what happens.

 

[Suterman]

OP: How long does Fran get?

To do what?

 

[hexumhawk]

Twice actually (wins over Davidson & Temple).

My take: You've got to also look at what Fran inherited. The first couple years at least, there should have been zero expectations to make the dance. Since those first two seasons (second year was an NIT appearance) he had a run to the NIT finals, for what it's worth, and then 3 straight NCAA bids, even if you count the first one as a play-in round. The point is, that up until this year, the trajectory has been steadily upwards. So now we're having a rebuilding year and we're seriously having this discussion?

No, I don't believe any coach should ever completely get a free pass, but based on what he's done so far, Fran should be safe for at least 2 more years after this one IMO. That doesn't mean there isn't some room for improvement in some areas (defense & rebounding stand out to me).

This year is what it is - a down year after losing most of your starting 5. It happens. Now, if they don't bounce back next year, and especially the year after that, then yeah - Fran's seat should get hotter. Let's just see what happens.

Great points.

My take before the season was anything over .500 would be a success with all of the youth we had to play.

I am on record as giving him another 3 year block. This group of Frosh and his next couple classes to get us into the sweet 16 or better. I think that is fair in my book as it would be his 10th season at Iowa.

 

[hexumhawk]

OP: How long does Fran get?

To do what?

To coach at Iowa.

Like my original post said, he has done some great things and dug us out of a huge hole with lick. He has also underachieved in areas especially down the stretch and in tournament play where it counts most.

I like him but he doesn't have a lifetime free pass from me.

 

[HeRKeYHoPeFuL]

This year is what it is - a down year after losing most of your starting 5. It happens. Now, if they don't bounce back next year, and especially the year after that, then yeah - Fran's seat should get hotter. Let's just see what happens.

Don't forget that he had injuries to his highest rated recruit and All B1G/POY candidate. This year may not meet expectations for some, but it is hardly a "bad year" given the circumstances.

 

[BGHAWK]

OP: How long does Fran get?

To do what?

Come on, you know, to win the national title. It's already been 7 years. Seriously, it's difficult enough for teams like Indiana, MSU, Michigan, OSU, Illinois and now Maryland, with their recruiting advantages to win the conferance, and it's an uphill battle for Iowa. I think Fran's is doing fine for me, and I enjoy watching his brand of basketball. I have season tickets to the women's games, and if the only reason I attended was for them to win the B1G, I'd stay home.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

The only thing I can see that would become a potential hot seat concern would be to miss the NCAA tourney 3-4 years in a row.

While contending for the conference title is good, it takes a backseat to NCAA tourney performance.

Basketball measuring sticks are just not the same as football. Conference finish in football is far more important as it has a much closer relationship to the caliber of post season appearance.

If Fran's team make the NCAA tourney more often than not(e.g. 6 out or 10 years) and get to the round of 32 more often than not, with the occasional(once or twice in 10 years) sweet 16 appearance, he will be the coach as long as he wants.

 

[soybean]

Good grief the man took over a horrific program that had only 3 NCAA appearances in 11 years before he arrived and put together 4 straight 20 win seasons (the last time that happened, Dr. Tom with 5)...what do you want?

The style of play is fun, the kids stay out of trouble. Fran can stay as long as he wants.

Unless "next level fever" once again breaks out in Iowa City. If so, 4 NCAA appearances or not, Fran will be shown the door.

 

[Pepperman]

The hyperbole of many that responded to the OP is what I don't get. I think the OP makes it clear he's giving Fran at least 3 more years. I would agree with that as I want to see this current class develop. I think Iowa *COULD* be scary good in 2 years' time if everybody stays together and continues to develop.

If, however, the team never gets it together and I continue to observe these issues, I'll be ready for somebody new:
1) Late game strategy that makes zero sense
2) Player rotations that make zero sense
3) Trouble with anger management
4) Recruiting only 2s and 4s

 

[DanL53]

I'm all in for McCaffery as long as he wants to stay here.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

Fran's best days at Iowa are ahead of him.

 

[HeRKeYHoPeFuL]

The hyperbole of many that responded to the OP is what I don't get. I think the OP makes it clear he's giving Fran at least 3 more years. I would agree with that as I want to see this current class develop. I think Iowa *COULD* be scary good in 2 years' time if everybody stays together and continues to develop.

If, however, the team never gets it together and I continue to observe these issues, I'll be ready for somebody new:
1) Late game strategy that makes zero sense
2) Player rotations that make zero sense
3) Trouble with anger management
4) Recruiting only 2s and 4s

I believe you mean:
1) Late game strategy that results in a poor record in close games
2) Losing games while sitting the most efficient players in each game
3) Blowing up at the refs on national television
4) Not landing an "elite" point guard

Basically... if we win with everything going on, you won't care, but if we lose you'll cite these "problems".

 

[Gridiron24]

He would need something like 3 or 4 horrible seasons in a row before he gets canned, at this point. And, given our young talent, I don't see that happening anytime soon.

He does, however, need to find someone who can beef up our recruiting in Illinois and St Louis.

 

[DodgerHawki]

To coach at Iowa.

Like my original post said, he has done some great things and dug us out of a huge hole with lick. He has also underachieved in areas especially down the stretch and in tournament play where it counts most.

I like him but he doesn't have a lifetime free pass from me.

Let's look at what you are saying here.

Underachieving - do you mean the end of seasons 2013-14 and 2015-16? If so, yes both teams struggled down the stretch. 2013-14 likely more than we will ever know going on with Patrick's illness and whatever issues that team had internally. The 2015-16 season also disappointing at the end, but if one had said prior to the season that Iowa would go 12-6 in conference, all fans would have signed up for that. The 2014-15 season, Iowa won 6 straight at the end of the season.
Tournament play - a mixed bag. Making the finals of a NIT? Very good, especially considering where Iowa had come from. NCAA tournament performance? Iowa has played exactly to its seed under Fran. B1G tournament? Not good.

I don't think anyone is saying he gets a lifetime pass. He would have received the de facto pass had he won the B1G title last year. But given where Iowa came from, Fran is in no danger of losing his job if Iowa doesn't make the NCCA either this year or next. With normal course of improvement from the returning players along with the upgrade in talent coming in the next 3 classes, Fran has set the program up for another 3-5 year run of being capable of making the tournament. From there, it takes some breaks to experience tournament success.

 

[Pepperman]

I believe you mean:
1) Late game strategy that results in a poor record in close games
2) Losing games while sitting the most efficient players in each game
3) Blowing up at the refs on national television
4) Not landing an "elite" point guard

Basically... if we win with everything going on, you won't care, but if we lose you'll cite these "problems".

I can see why you would view my post that way, but here's some truth - we won't be "winning" if we still have problems 1 and 2 during games. So it will be completely legit if I am citing these problems. Most of the big games in conference will come down to a few possessions after all.

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Citing the late season record last year is such bullshit. Last year's team was supposed to be a bubble team. Why don't you credit him for getting a fairly mediocre group to play far above their ability for much of the season instead of coming back to earth toward the end?

 

[DavenportHawk8]

Fran's best days at Iowa are ahead of him.

This! He is going to have some good teams. He is slowing building a solid team and I look for him to keep adding. He has gotten Iowa back into Chicago, STL, and other places that Iowa lost. I think they will be solid moving forward

 

[DanL53]

Citing the late season record last year is such bullshit. Last year's team was supposed to be a bubble team. Why don't you credit him for getting a fairly mediocre group to play far above their ability for much of the season instead of coming back to earth toward the end?

Agreed. Reduced to cherry picking stats...and ignoring 12-6, 12-6 and fighting for an upper half finish with a bunch of freshmen? Kind of revealing and Fran isn't going anywhere.

 

[Suterman]

Fran's seat is ice cold. This team will be a tournament team next year and the year after that, look out. The only way Fran is in trouble in the next 3 years is if we have a losing record....ALL THREE YEARS!!

 

[Rustys Dad]

Iowa: 132–96 (.579) 60–59 (.504)
Fran's overall coaching record: 383–273 (.584)

I like Fran. I'm excited about the recruits we've recently signed ... That being said, I DO NOT think Fran gets a free pass to coach at Iowa as long as he likes ...

I don't think there is a lot of pressure on Fran ... because of how down we've been as a program overall since the Dr. Tom days ... Our expectations have changed ... Now, we're happy to just get IN the Dance.

The Lick days were as bad as any of my 40 years of being a Hawk fan ... I give Fran credit for building us back up ... Now, it's time to see what he can do ... It's been 7 years ... The next 3 years (I think) will show if Fran can take Iowa basketball to another level.

I live in DSM ... have a large group of Hawk friends ... I used to be an I-Club board member ... Many of my Hawk friends pretty much turn all of their attention to football and basketball is an afterthought ... meaning, I just don't think the heat is there because the passion for Iowa bball isn't what it used to be ... Yes, Iowa still has passionate bball fans ... but just not as many ...

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Not to mention that we do not have to deal with any of the crap that surrounded the previous coaches such as players getting in trouble, grades, or being a complete douche bag. In fact the only way I would ever want fran to leave is if he calms down. I absolutely love his fire and outbursts even if I do not always agree with his decision making. Fran has a self-awareness that our past coaches did not. Jason, we are not a blueblood program so in a public city that we get is a good thing. We have never had a player leave due to not liking the coach, only because they were not good enough at basketball. The states best players are committing to Iowa early once again,and the future could not be brighter.

 

[Hawksfor3]

Jerry Palm, when asked what teams like Iowa can do to become better, he replied "Recruit better players and coach 'em up." Yesterday on BTN.

 

[Ronman]

McCaffery's sideline behavior is the most overblown subject posted on this (or any other) board. If you watch ANY college basketball, you will see other coaches get away with far worse conduct than Fran routinely displays. Or do you really expect him to sit quietly, like Lickliter, while we play five on eight? If he did that, would he have the respect of his players? Unfortunately, for whatever reason, McCaffery has the reputation of a hothead when other coaches get a complete pass. It's BS!

 

[L. Wade Childress]

Iowa: 132–96 (.579) 60–59 (.504)
Fran's overall coaching record: 383–273 (.584)

I like Fran. I'm excited about the recruits we've recently signed ... That being said, I DO NOT think Fran gets a free pass to coach at Iowa has long as he likes ...

I don't think there is a lot of pressure on Fran ... because of how down we've been as a program overall since the Dr. Tom days ... Our expectations have changed ... Now, we're happy to just get IN the Dance.

The Lick days were as bad as any of my 40 years of being a Hawk fan ... I give Fran credit for building us back up ... Now, it's time to see what he can do ... It's been 7 years ... The next 3 years (I think) will show if Fran can take Iowa basketball to another level.

I live in DSM ... have a large group of Hawk friends ... I used to be an I-Club board member ... Many of my Hawk friends pretty much turn all of their attention to football and basketball is an afterthought ... meaning, I just don't think the heat is there because the passion for Iowa bball isn't what it used to be ... Yes, Iowa still has passionate bball fans ... but just not as many ...

It was not just Lickliter. It was terrible facilities, a lack of institutional commitment, A lack of fan support, and a lack of recent success on the court. Fran has shown that he can coach players up, but recruiting is more difficult to fix and takes time. Quite frankly I think Fran will get out of state recruiting back to where it was under Dr. Tom but I am not even sure he would take kids like Davis or Walker because they were complete characters.

 

[Hawkeyestate81]

Jerry Palm, when asked what teams like Iowa can do to become better, he replied "Recruit better players and coach 'em up." Yesterday on BTN.

LOL, it is Jerry Palm, guy is a CLOWN.

 

[hexumhawk]

Citing the late season record last year is such bullshit. Last year's team was supposed to be a bubble team. Why don't you credit him for getting a fairly mediocre group to play far above their ability for much of the season instead of coming back to earth toward the end?

Its really not BS.

That was his first major class that were highly rated with tons of seniors and experience on that team. AND, one of the best transfers we have ever had in JU. To say we were supposed to be a bubble team is absurd and shows how low the expectations are for Iowa BB; and proves some of my thread correct.

 

[Underscore2]

Seriously if this team has that late season dive thing happen now, I would be nervous. In that case, Fran would not demonstrate the ability to correct that issue - whatever caused that in the past.

In that case - 2 years of that happening = hotseat.

Beyond that, his ability to retain players is astounding so far, tbh. This, and success in recruiting the type of players his system needs, makes him solid imo.

 

[coralville67]

Let's keep Fran and all the haters can switch teams

 

[unIowa]

Let's start harvesting Fran cells so we can reanimate him when needed so we never have to let him go.