Is Owen Freeman the reason Fran got fired?

[tweeterhawk]

I’m beginning to think he is. He seemed increasingly unmotivated to play hard as the season progressed, then suffered a finger injury mid-way into the season. While Payton Sandfort played with a hand fracture, separated shoulder, other injuries, Freeman shut it down and had season-ending surgery. How many more games could Iowa have won with Freeman playing — perhaps enough to save Fran’s job?

We should be mad about that. But Freeman may have given Iowa men’s basketball a needed chance to start anew.

Don’t let the door hit you in your rush out of Iowa City, pal.

 

[Lakerswillbeback]

I was actually thinking the EXACT same thing yesterday, as I read his social media 'tribute'. I was thinking to myself, 'you bastard, you did this'. With writing on the wall as him leaving, and the shorthanded team losing without him, Fran never had a chance.

 

[IChawkeye45]

Thank you for being a Hawkeye Owen. Sorry we didn’t surround you with the talent that you deserved. Once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

 

[TampaHawkfan]

I don't think so. Those attendance numbers were probably the leading factor, I'd guess.

 

[jonesy5960]

I’m beginning to think he is. He seemed increasingly unmotivated to play hard as the season progressed, then suffered a finger injury mid-way into the season. While Payton Sandfort played with a hand fracture, separated shoulder, other injuries, Freeman shut it down and had season-ending injury. How many more games could Iowa have won with Freeman playing — perhaps enough to save Fran’s job?

We should be mad about that. But Freeman may have given Iowa men’s basketball a needed chance to start anew.

Don’t let the door hit you in your rush out of Iowa City, pal.

I don't know that they win any more games with Freeman playing it out. They had basically the same results with and without him.

 

[TampaHawkfan]

I don't know that they win any more games with Freeman playing it out. They had basically the same results with and without him.

The games Freeman missed were also the more difficult part of the schedule. So I tend to believe the overall record wouldn't have been much better with him in there.

 

[ichawks]

Been told by a reliable source that he’s going to Creighton or Michigan.

 

[jonesy5960]

The games Freeman missed were also the more difficult part of the schedule. So I tend to believe the overall record wouldn't have been much better with him in there.

Maybe. Maybe not. They were getting absolutely blasted in pretty much every away game that Owen played in.

 

[HawkGem11]

I have heard rumors that his AAU coach was fielding offers for him to transfer after this year BEFORE this year even began....dude was all about him and that showed 100% throughout the year,,,,he won't be missed

 

[Fan In Black]

Freeman playing wouldn't have meant a different season or greater attendance numbers. The attendance was the main factor.

 

[the24fan]

Thank you for being a Hawkeye Owen. Sorry we didn’t surround you with the talent that you deserved. Once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye.

 

[tweeterhawk]

Thank you for being a Hawkeye Owen. Sorry we didn’t surround you with the talent that you deserved. Once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye.

Once a key member of an Iowa team quietly bails on his or her coach, I can’t be that generous. Sorry. But I just can’t.

I thought his social media good-byes were total BS.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Every coach has had players that become disenchanted for one reason or another. How many players hit the portal every year? You can't make everyone happy. Not to mention (but I will), teams have injuries and it's up to the coach to build a roster than can survive it.

Fran's record the last 3 years was 55-45 with one NCAA appearance. Take out 5 or 6 cupcake wins each year and he's underwater.

Attendance has been dwindling. Fans didn't like his sons playing for the Hawks, feeling they weren't as good as the guys behind them. In addition he has occasionally embarrassed the U with his sideline behavior.

No. OF didn't get him fired.

 

[intrepodor]

I was actually thinking the EXACT same thing yesterday, as I read his social media 'tribute'. I was thinking to myself, 'you bastard, you did this'. With writing on the wall as him leaving, and the shorthanded team losing without him, Fran never had a chance.

Freeman < team

 

[intrepodor]

Been told by a reliable source that he’s going to Creighton or Michigan.

If you've watched Kalkbrenner play you'd know Freeman couldn't even hold his shoes.

 

[onionman1]

Thank you for being a Hawkeye Owen. Sorry we didn’t surround you with the talent that you deserved. Once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye.

Thanks for giving your all to the program Payton Sandfort, playing through multiple injuries and staying dedicated to your team even when things got bad, unlike Owen Freeman. Payton, sorry we didn't give you the starting center you deserved this year- someone who was a dedicated to the Iowa program as you were.

 

[onionman1]

Been told by a reliable source that he’s going to Creighton or Michigan.

Anywhere but here works for me.

 

[IChawkeye45]

Thanks for giving your all to the program Payton Sandfort, playing through multiple injuries and staying dedicated to your team even when things got bad, unlike Owen Freeman. Payton, sorry we didn't give you the starting center you deserved this year- someone who was a dedicated to the Iowa program as you were.

Thank you to both Payton Sandfort and Owen Freeman for being Hawkeyes. Sorry to you both that Fran didn’t get a center that can rebound and bang and be physical down low. Our team was pretty set with Dix, Sandfort, and Freeman at the two through four. Point guard and center were a different story. I wish we had a coaching staff dedicated to roster management and not just throwing pieces on a roster.

 

[win1forthe]

Caitlin, the women’s team and lack of NIL were more of a reason for Fran to get fired than Owen.

 

[HawkOptimist]

Not being able to get to the Sweet 16 the years we had Woodbury, Uthoff, Jok, Gesell, Garza and the Murray twins … combined with very average recruiting in recent years … caused fan apathy, which led to a decline in attendance. THAT is what got Fran fired, not Owen Freeman sitting out.

 

[Rustys Dad]

I’m beginning to think he is. He seemed increasingly unmotivated to play hard as the season progressed, then suffered a finger injury mid-way into the season. While Payton Sandfort played with a hand fracture, separated shoulder, other injuries, Freeman shut it down and had season-ending injury. How many more games could Iowa have won with Freeman playing — perhaps enough to save Fran’s job?

We should be mad about that. But Freeman may have given Iowa men’s basketball a needed chance to start anew.

Don’t let the door hit you in your rush out of Iowa City, pal.

Are you for real? JFC… have you not followed the past 15 years? Fran was out the door no matter what… Freeman wasn’t saving Fran’s job.

 

[hawkirugged17]

Players will come and players will leave. This is what College Basketball is. Adapt or fall behind.

Wisconsin had a starter leave and go to Kansas. The Badgers adapted ...

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Thank you to both Payton Sandfort and Owen Freeman for being Hawkeyes. Sorry to you both that Fran didn’t get a center that can rebound and bang and be physical down low. Our team was pretty set with Dix, Sandfort, and Freeman at the two through four. Point guard and center were a different story. I wish we had a coaching staff dedicated to roster management and not just throwing pieces on a roster.

Sorry to you both that Fran didn’t get a center that can rebound and bang and be physical down low.

Umm wasn’t that freeman’s job as the teams starting C? Team as a whole wasn’t great rebounding but doesn’t help when the starting C isn’t great at it or picking up dumb fouls.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Caitlin, the women’s team and lack of NIL were more of a reason for Fran to get fired than Owen.

Ironic that Fran’s future daughter one of the main reasons. Clark coming along when she did cost men’s team NIL $. If Clark came 10 years earlier or never would’ve helped men’s team but instead coming off pinnacle they will probably ever be as a program helped filter more $ to women. 2nd person within the program is one of Fran’s all time favorites in JBo. One of the leading voices for NIL.

End of the day 2 biggest things that cost Fran his job were his tourney record and NIL.

 

[IChawkeye45]

Umm wasn’t that freeman’s job as the teams starting C? Team as a whole wasn’t great rebounding but doesn’t help when the starting C isn’t great at it or picking up dumb fouls.

No. It was Fran’s job to surround Owen with a Greg Brunner or Doug Thomas type player. Someone that will defend and bang. But we didnt surround him with that. An even more prime example of roster mismanagement was who we surrounded Luka and Joe Wieskamp with. 🤦‍♂️

 

[nu2u]

2nd person within the program is one of Fran’s all time favorites in JBo. One of the leading voices for NIL

Bohannnon was absolutely correct. . The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously agreed with him. Justice Bret Cavanaugh stripped down and whipped the NCAA better than JB could have ever imagined.

 

[old brother]

If the rumors are true about Freeman’s aau coach and Fran got wind of it he was probably like screw this I am done. He did not have the same fire on the sidelines this year.. I think Beth should have told Fran fire everyone but Gatens and hire an assistant to coach some defensive and we will give you one year.

 

[Ladell-hawk]

Thank you for being a Hawkeye Owen. Sorry we didn’t surround you with the talent that you deserved. Once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye.

“Didn’t surround you with the talent you deserved” ? Come on man, that’s pathetic.

 

[IChawkeye45]

“Didn’t surround you with the talent you deserved” ? Come on man, that’s pathetic.

Hey. It was Fran that put that roster together! Don’t get mad at Freeman for possibly doing what’s best for his family. He’s seen Fran do it for awhile now. Crazy the hypocrisy going on right now with being mad at Freeman but not Fran. 🤷‍♂️

 

[iahawks10]

Been told by a reliable source that he’s going to Creighton or Michigan.

Talk around Moline HS is that Kansas is the next stop.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

No. It was Fran’s job to surround Owen with a Greg Brunner or Doug Thomas type player. Someone that will defend and bang. But we didnt surround him with that. An even more prime example of roster mismanagement was who we surrounded Luka and Joe Wieskamp with. 🤦‍♂️

Maybe if Owen would’ve done his job and rebounded himself wouldn’t have been as big of an issue. You didn’t see Garza or even the Murray boys be surrounded with great rebounder. Took it upon themselves.

 

[IChawkeye45]

Maybe if Owen would’ve done his job and rebounded himself wouldn’t have been as big of an issue. You didn’t see Garza or even the Murray boys be surrounded with great rebounder. Took it upon themselves.

Uhhhhh…..Those three were all on the same team at some point and also Joe W who rebounded really well for his position. I can’t really tell you who rebounded well for Iowa this year, maybe no one?

 

[TRHawkeye145]

What about CC and the rise of the women's bball team the last 4 years? That took all the fan support and money away from the men's. It also made people realize that Fran was becoming a lame duck coach ... The women actually could take the program to the next level that Fran could never achieve here. Apathy set in even more

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

I was super critical of Pay Sandfort this year and his terrible shot selection. But at least he showed heart and never quit. Bye, Owen.

 

[SI_NYC]

I'm glad he's leaving. He gave up on the team and to be honest I don't think he's as good as so many think he is. He's a decent big man but I don't see him improving any further.

 

[AmericaNeedsMe]

Talk around Moline HS is that Kansas is the next stop.

If he's just after a bag, KU will do but Self will bury him on the bench in a heartbeat if he's not competing. See, the downfall of AJ Storr.

 

[Beattheohiostate]

The games Freeman missed were also the more difficult part of the schedule. So I tend to believe the overall record wouldn't have been much better with him in there.

Freeman is soft. He doesn't rebound, and he doesn't have any offense except within 5 feet. Whoever gets him can have him. He wouldn't fit at all in the new system that will emphasize--demand--rebounding, defense, and high-energy toughness, no matter what name the new Iowa coach has.

 

[CookyMonster]

Kid is talented but soft. Only game I was impressed with him was the IU game. He needs to work on his body as well. He is doughy.

 

[tdburg11]

Maybe. Maybe not. They were getting absolutely blasted in pretty much every away game that Owen played in.

I love “reliable sources.”