Each have one side of the ball that is so much worse than the average top 25-30 teams, yet they seemingly refuse to address it. Despite tonight, Iowa Basketball’s problem is still the defense. We have the 6th ranked offense and the 113th defense according to KenPom. If I have to watch that absurdly un-athletic zone allow wide open 3 after wide open 3 again my eyes are going to start bleeding. Is it the coziness of being nearly un-fireable that leads to the same thing year in and out? I guess it could be worse with both programs, but it is tiring.
Kirk and Fran must get along great
- Thread starter HawkeyeHoopyball
- Start date
I know what you mean and I’ll laugh at a good joke too…
that said, I don’t think these men are similar at all. KF is a better person and coach, and has accomplishments Fran will never have.
that said, I don’t think these men are similar at all. KF is a better person and coach, and has accomplishments Fran will never have.
There is no reason to think Fran isn't a good man.
Agreed. Fran and Kirk are just both really oblivious dorks who trust their sons to a degree most people outside of sixth grade YMCA teams should not.
Kirk has been here twice as long and and the accomplishments he had early like being a Co champion with a team you lost to can't happen today. Also, Fran doesn't get the benefit of not playing the conferences best teams some years like kirk did in 15 and 21...the only times he has accomplished anything significant lately.
If basketball was set up like football they would have been in a new year's 6 bowl last year, despite having to play all the best teams in the league at least once but mostly twice. Both have done some nice things but haven't accomplished much of significance since Fran got here
Being from PA, nepotism, sucking at one side of the ball, and overconfidence in developing under the radar talent are just a few things they have in common.
I don't know if it's the culture in IC or what it is, but it's amazing how those two can bring their programs to the brink of collapse, or the brink of greatness, and somehow retain the place they're in.
They work hand in hand; on schedule. Almost get the glory, then fail miserably - often in the same season.
They work hand in hand; on schedule. Almost get the glory, then fail miserably - often in the same season.
They’re actually almost opposites. Kirk basketball would be closer to lickliter ball. Defense, free throws, and rebounds. He probably would never allow iso ball or dunks lol. Maybe Virginia style ball.
Well, if you mean Kirk has been consistently average for 23 years then you're spot on. Sure, remaining consistently that average is a feat in and of itself...right? Many programs go through massive droughts, I mean I guess we could be Nebraska, right? But, between Fran and Kirk there are nearly three decades of mediocrity combined; Kirk has two shared big ten titles, two big ten title game losses, and one blow out trip to the rose bowl. But you're right, he has managed to get us to an exhibition game nearly every single season. Fran has never sniffed a sweet 16 and has lost in the first or second round of the big ten tournament every single year. Yet, they've managed ridiculous contract extensions and incentives every year as well in large part due to a highly inept AD - it's not an attempt at sarcasm...it's just fact.
I get it, who am I to say, right? But that's why I don't get paid millions of dollars to do it or have an opinion. Take it for what it's worth.
Dumb. Kirk's programs are built on discipline. Kirk's teams play hard and do the little things right. Kirk has a reputation and many things you can hang your hat on and say Iowa has done that well during his 20+ year tenure.
Fran is nothing like Kirk. Fran is a half-assed air raid offense that is terrible on special teams and defense. Kirk goes and wins Sweet 16 and even Elite 8 type bowl games from time to time. Fran would get blown out in the Pinstripe Bowl and is actually lucky anytime he even makes it to the Pinstripe Bowl.
It's hard to quantify FB and BB coaching success similarity, but I've always thought KF is miles ahead of FM. Looking at KF's best years there is '02, '03, '04, '09, and '15 where Iowa finished in the top 10 and '08, '19, and '20 where Iowa finished in the top 20. FM has a top 10 in 20-21 and two top 25s (15-16, 19-20)
Which FM seasons could you compare to which KF seasons? I would probably say the best FM season (20-21) would be about on par with the '19 Iowa FB just because of how it ended (ok record and flame out in BTT and NCAAT). I just don't see FM ever doing anything as good as Iowa Football during those five top ten seasons.
Which FM seasons could you compare to which KF seasons? I would probably say the best FM season (20-21) would be about on par with the '19 Iowa FB just because of how it ended (ok record and flame out in BTT and NCAAT). I just don't see FM ever doing anything as good as Iowa Football during those five top ten seasons.
Dumb if you really believe that
Records at Iowa:
Kirk 168-106 .610
Fran 378-223 .590
And Fran hasn't had as long to make up for a slow start and Fran has to play all the good teams, doesn't get to hideout in the west and duck the league's best teams like Kirk does many years.
Fran also doesn't get higher seeded in tourney than it deserves because their fans will show up and spend a ton like Iowa football has in some bowls. Making the nccaa tournament where they take 68 of 350+ teams is harder than making a bowl where a majority of teams qualify. Still, Fran is 4-5 in tourney while Kirk is 9-8 in bowls
People may like Kirk better (I do) but they are both above average but nothing special programs. If you can't acknowledge the similarities you aren't being honest
I view both coaches as being remarkably alike. They both found some success early in life and have decided what worked then, will always work even though the sports they coach in have evolved exponentially from their early lives and both are too stubborn to admit changes might be necessary.
Just when I think posters could not possibly be as stupid as their posts would indicate, I am proven wrong, again and again!
Fran isn’t close to the same league as Kirk. Kirk is the Dean of the BIG, has won many big games, big time bowls, conference hardware, has many players in the league. Fran well, maybe he can win something of significance with Keegan and Kris, but has not won anything of significance.
The only thing they have in common is they will get blown out, ugly every so often.
The only thing they have in common is they will get blown out, ugly every so often.
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