The case for keeping Fran, it's the recruiting.

[HawkeyeGenius]

We have who may be the best commit of Fran's time at Iowa coming in. There is also the Briscoe kid & Miami transfer. Traore could come back. Hit the portal for a PG & post. That's a salty salty squad. I'm coming around to this idea unless Iowa goes like 5-15 in the conference & guys bail.

 

[dekhawk]

No. It will be year 16.

 

[HawkeyeGenius]

Joshua Lewis commits to Iowa basketball, becoming one of top recruits in program history

Class of 2025 wing Joshua Lewis has committed to Iowa, becoming one of the best prospects the program has landed in the modern recruiting era.

www.hawkcentral.com

 

[HawkBall23]

Iowa's roster could be the Dream Team, all in their prime, and Fran would still only be able to coach them to an upper mid-pack conference finish and a heartbreaking loss in the round of 32.

Couple of seemingly real good gets in the last couple weeks, but those gets don't erase all his faults and non-accomplishments.

 

[83Hawk]

Well, I think it is obvious now that Fran isn’t leaving on his own, and I doubt he gets fired. He’ll be back next year and the year after…..signing Lewis bought him another 2 years at minimum.

Hawk fans who want Fran gone better resign themselves to that.

 

[chaneccooms]

Iowa's roster could be the Dream Team, all in their prime, and Fran would still only be able to coach them to an upper mid-pack conference finish and a heartbreaking loss in the round of 32.

Couple of seemingly real good gets in the last couple weeks, but those gets don't erase all his faults and non-accomplishments.

I think Fran’s uptick in recruiting buys him consideration for being retained; he’s demonstrated a willingness to change the kinds of players he brings into the program.

However, I think Goetz needs to demand that if Fran is going to stay, he needs to bring on the equivalent of a defensive coordinator - a coach with a proven track record of developing highly effectives defenses. Like with the Brian Ferentz situation, you can’t have a head coach at Iowa refusing to fix a glaring weakness that’s been going on for years. If Fran balks at this, show him the door.

 

[HawkLogic]

I think Fran’s uptick in recruiting buys him consideration for being retained; he’s demonstrated a willingness to change the kinds of players he brings into the program.

However, I think Goetz needs to demand that if Fran is going to stay, he needs to bring on the equivalent of a defensive coordinator - a coach with a proven track record of developing highly effectives defenses. Like with the Brian Ferentz situation, you can’t have a head coach at Iowa refusing to fix a glaring weakness that’s been going on for years. If Fran balks at this, show him the door.

Yes good point. However, Fran determines the lineups/who plays. He's got guys right now that can play defense/rebound and they don't play.

It is interesting that Fran is still recruiting and going through the motions of doing his job. There is no reason he can't leave on good terms and leave a positive legacy. He needs to not finish in Bottom 1/2 of B1G this year. Another year of Fran Ball would not be a terrible outcome--actually would be great if a defensive guru came in and the squad suddenly improved a lot.

 

[Chishawk1425]

This is just very odd to me. Fran looks like he doesn't give a shit at all but we are killing it on the recruiting trail?!

 

[chaneccooms]

Yes good point. However, Fran determines the lineups/who plays. He's got guys right now that can play defense/rebound and they don't play.

It is interesting that Fran is still recruiting and going through the motions of doing his job. There is no reason he can't leave on good terms and leave a positive legacy. He needs to not finish in Bottom 1/2 of B1G this year. Another year of Fran Ball would not be a terrible outcome--actually would be great if a defensive guru came in and the squad suddenly improved a lot.

Good points on your part. I should have added that I think also tied to Fran’s continued employment should be a statistical measure of improvement of the defense. For example, the team needs to achieve a certain ranking in pace-adjusted defensive efficiency, or bye-bye job.

 

[hawkjt]

Good points on your part. I should have added that I think also tied to Fran’s continued employment should be a statistical measure of improvement of the defense. For example, the team needs to achieve a certain ranking in pace-adjusted defensive efficiency, or bye-bye job.

Agree, but for God's sake keep it between Beth and Fran.
No repeat of Brian Ferentz contract publicity.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Franisdaman]

Lewis is noted for his defense and has NBA potential.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Hawksfor3]

He’ll be back next year and the year after…..

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[mizzy2442]

Well, I think it is obvious now that Fran isn’t leaving on his own, and I doubt he gets fired. He’ll be back next year and the year after…..signing Lewis bought him another 2 years at minimum.

Hawk fans who want Fran gone better resign themselves to that.

You think one guy is going to get him another 2 years? I guess maybe at Iowa, no other school would stick with this retread for 17 years. If we don’t make the tournament then he needs to be gone, idgaf about his recruiting class. He couldn’t win with 3 nba guys on his roster, he won’t do diddly sh*t with this recruiting class either.

Also, Lewis hasn’t signed yet.

 

[Franisdaman]

 

[Rustys Dad]

I don’t care who Fran brings in - in YEAR 16 … he had the POY in Garza … he had the Murray’s … he had Weezy … His time will finally end after this season….

 

[the24fan]

Well, I think it is obvious now that Fran isn’t leaving on his own, and I doubt he gets fired. He’ll be back next year and the year after…..signing Lewis bought him another 2 years at minimum.

Hawk fans who want Fran gone better resign themselves to that.

The recent recruiting uptick is a new variable. I honestly can't believe they got Lewis.
If this is a continuing trend of upgrading the roster and the athleticism then I'm all for letting Fran stick it out and see what happens. I'm trying to wrap my head around how he landed Lewis. I hope someone gets a story of the committment.

 

[IChawkeye45]

Remember when Cmac and Pmac were top 100 recruits. How’d that work out for Iowa??

 

[Etalicus]

Well if coaching a program is only about who you bring in and not what the team brings in wins. I guess keep him.

 

[GunnerHawk]

The college game is about great pg play, Harding isn't going to get us there. Need a really solid pg from the portal for next year.

 

[Hawkaholic18]

To a larger extent is about defense which we don't have any. We are a YMCA team at best. Fran will not be let go until after his contract is up. We don't have buyout money, wishful thinking. I keep going back to the Wisconsin quote " we know they don't like to play defense". That sums up Fran's lack of success over the years.

 

[wneff]

This is just very odd to me. Fran looks like he doesn't give a shit at all but we are killing it on the recruiting trail?!

 

[Rifler]

Fran is here until he decides to leave,.. accept it.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

This is just very odd to me. Fran looks like he doesn't give a shit at all but we are killing it on the recruiting trail?!

Ditto.

I'm starting to think we have more NIL $$$ for basketball than I had thought.

Nothing else really explains the uptick in his recruiting. If that's the case I'm not sure we lose the recruits IF we land a good hire to replace him.

 

[HawkeyeGenius]

Ditto.

I'm starting to think we have more NIL $$$ for basketball than I had thought.

Nothing else really explains the uptick in his recruiting. If that's the case I'm not sure we lose the recruits IF we land a good hire to replace him.

We've always had more NIL than we think. It doesn't mean it's top tier.

 

[83Hawk]

You think one guy is going to get him another 2 years? I guess maybe at Iowa, no other school would stick with this retread for 17 years. If we don’t make the tournament then he needs to be gone, idgaf about his recruiting class. He couldn’t win with 3 nba guys on his roster, he won’t do diddly sh*t with this recruiting class either.

Also, Lewis hasn’t signed yet.

Remember….this is the University of Iowa we’re talking about, where job security is King.

I would be shocked if Fran isn’t still coach next season. He obviously isn’t going to leave on his own, and do you REALLY think he would be fired, even if the team goes winless the rest of this season?

 

[coorsoriginal02]

Keegan Murray was a do-it-all superstar and we couldn't get past the 1st round.

Fran needs to retire after this season. If not, The AD needs to fire him and eat the remaining $ from the contract agreement.

 

[coorsoriginal02]

Fran is here until he decides to leave,.. accept it.

That's the most absurd thing ever. He has absolutely NOT deserved that privilage.

Why do so many Iowa Hawkeye folks have this "acceptance" mindset?

 

[83Hawk]

That's the most absurd thing ever. He has absolutely NOT deserved that privilage.

Why do so many Iowa Hawkeye folks have this "acceptance" mindset?

“Deserves got nothing to do with it.”

Hawk fans are an optimistic bunch in general. They will ignore 15 years of results and think that with this recruiting class, NOW things will change. They will say “I’m willing to give Fran another couple of years” to see if the new players pan out. Then they will be mad if nothing changes, but change their tune again with the next potential exciting player signing.

Two days ago the vast majority of posters on this board wanted Fran gone. Now, some of these same fans are ok with him staying because of the Lewis verbal.

Just an observation on my part.

 

[hexumhawk]

No

He has to go.

 

[hawksense]

Get a difference maker at point guard - and I love Harding - and we’ll talk.

We could also use an Erik Hansen type. A rim protector. Athletic and defense first.

 

[tumorboy]

Thread should be titled the case for keeping Spurlock.

 

[tumorboy]

Get a difference maker at point guard - and I love Harding - and we’ll talk.

We could also use an Erik Hansen type. A rim protector. Athletic and defense first.

Needs a Woodbury type. The guy was a QB on defensive end. Kept people in position. Awesome on floor leader and communicator.

 

[DewHawk]

Thread should be titled the case for keeping Spurlock.

I agree with your comment. Keeping Fran means just more years of mediocrity, no defense, no rebounding, soft, little physical strength, etc. regardless of the players he supposedly recruits.

 

[ObeseMuffins]

Fran needs to consult with John Belein, who was on record admitting he had to hire someone to take over Michigan’s defensive philosophy.

 

[intrepodor]

Iowa's roster could be the Dream Team, all in their prime, and Fran would still only be able to coach them to an upper mid-pack conference finish and a heartbreaking loss in the round of 32.

Couple of seemingly real good gets in the last couple weeks, but those gets don't erase all his faults and non-accomplishments.

Well if we get the dream team call back Davis and Close to coach them

 

[intrepodor]

That's the most absurd thing ever. He has absolutely NOT deserved that privilage.

Why do so many Iowa Hawkeye folks have this "acceptance" mindset?

Because some of us are Iowa nice

 

[mizzy2442]

Remember….this is the University of Iowa we’re talking about, where job security is King.

I would be shocked if Fran isn’t still coach next season. He obviously isn’t going to leave on his own, and do you REALLY think he would be fired, even if the team goes winless the rest of this season?

No, as I said in my orignal post, only at Iowa would a retread get 17 years. The kid we brought in has nothing to do with Fran getting more time, it’s Iowa’s administration who’s content with the product. As long as we are close to break even financially, they won’t care. It’s sad, but I agree that Fran will be here for another couple years regardless of this seasons outcome because Iowa won’t put in the money to fix the issue.