Why Does Fran Get a Pass?
- Thread starter GOHOX69
- Start date
Agreed. Being a 2 seed and getting blown out by Oregon in the 2nd Round was a major kick in the nuts, but the way the following year's team with Keegan was kicking ass and taking names on its way to the Big Ten Tournament title... Maybe the hottest team in the country... And then completely laying an egg in the first round against Richmond...
Something in me broke, in terms of fandom, after that Richmond game.
I'm not 100% apathetic, otherwise I wouldn't be typing this right now, but I'm getting close.
Yes. If your only criteria is Sweet 16 appearances then I think that's pretty short sighted.
If you look at Fran's overall win percentage and Big Ten win percentage since he's been here, he's been above average. He inherited a complete shit show and has built it back to a respectable program.
I do think he has flaws. Number one is the philosophy of lack of defense. I believe that, combined with bad matchups has prevented those Sweet 16 appearances. Also inability to call timeouts to stop opponent momentum. It's like he's so mad and stubborn he allows things to go on instead of calling a timeout at the right time. Lastly, I haven't been as down on Patrick in past years as some but he should not be starting this year. He just shouldn't and it looks terrible on Fran and might lead to player departures in the portal.
All that said, yes... Above average.
That's the elephant in the room. 8 NCAA bids and not advancing. Predictable.
Not being able to reach even the Sweet 16 once with Luka and Keegan & Kris speaks volumes.
Poor D by our guards, namely JBo.
Fran gets a pass bc of how bad Lickliter was. If it's any other coach that Fran had to follow, he would have been gone years ago.
He doesn't get a pass. There just isn't the interest in Iowa Men's Basketball that there used to be and he has done well enough like the others said.
I think its run its course here. Frans real shot to do something special was with Luka and Keegan and he didn't.
I think its run its course here. Frans real shot to do something special was with Luka and Keegan and he didn't.
Fran has received a pass because we had an inept AD who handed out contract extensions like Halloween candy. Hopefully new AD puts an end to the mediocrity.
Maybe because his teams have been to the NCAA tournament something like 5 out of the last 6 years? Not a whole lot of others who can make that claim. No - his tournament record is not good. But it is at getting there.
Participation awards for all
He had NBA talent and failed how can he improve from that
I don't think Richmond had any.
I get Barta giving extensions in terms of recruiting but the lengths are laughable. Constantly putting the programs 10 years out from a coaching change puts you in a straight jacket if things go downhill
He had one legitimate top 10 pick who is proving he can play at the level. One more 1st rounder that the jury is still out on whether or not he will be a succesful NBA player. Give me the other NBA talent you speak of? Garza - when he plays in the league on a regular basis you can count him.
Yes, they lost to Richmond. I'm not a huge fan of Fran but at some point stop pointing out how much top level talent they have had here.
If you mean he gets a "pass" from the fans? He doesn't, at least not on this board. He is profoundly bashed here.
Unless you mean every fan should want him fired, or they are giving him a pass? Well, that's different. That may be 50/50, but I don't agree that not wanting him fired is giving him a pass.
Or, do you mean he gets a pass from the U? Yeah, he probably does. Up until this year, he has provided what most non-blueblood schools look for in their basketball program. Clean, competitive, entertaining, puts fans in the seats, wins 20+ games, makes the Dance.
I for one haven't really wanted him fired, but I'm ready for him to move on. If this year doesn't turn around I will join the Fire Fran crowd.
I don't care what success Garza has at the NBA level. He was a BEAST at Iowa for multiple years, had his jersey retired for a reason and the national player of the year for a reason.
AND we had a legit NBA talent in Keegan at the same time, granted he was a different player with more experience after Garza left, but the lack of success with these ALL TIME talents at Iowa, is the #1 reason fans like myself are apathetic with Iowa basketball and done with Fran. We won the B1G tournament with 2 of the best players that Iowa has ever had. Nothing of note beyond that.
Unlikely that Fran can get similar talent again, so there's ZERO optimism for making the sweet 16 with his coaching style.
I'll watch games to see the young talent, but I'll turn them off quickly in a blowout like the last 3 GAMES!
And that team was doing great until Nunge got hurt. Then I think we all knew the high end was limited.
The original comment I responded to was "NBA" talent. Not great college players of which Garza ceratinly is.
Serious question: are you content just making the tourney? You’d be fine if that is all Fran ever accomplishes?
No - but I am pretty realistic about it all and until Iowa regularly finishes in the top four of the Big I don't really expect many deep runs. And this isn't just a Fran thing. I also understand that when it's a one and done type scenerio the better team does not always win. Finally, I am also someone who doesn't blame or credit the coach for everything that goes right or wrong with a team. Players play and not one of us knows why certain decisions are made.
My guess is unless he gets axed, Fran will go one more season beyond this one and let Jack finish high school in IC. Patrick will have graduated and Jack has already announced his intentions to play elsewhere.
I am ready for next level success as much as the next guy, but to discount all that McCaffery has accomplished here is just being willfully blind. I shouldn't have to remind you that he is just four victories from being the all time winning coach at Iowa. He routinely gets picked to finish 10th in the league, but always finishes in the top third. He always gets us to the NCAA's, even though we would all love to win more once we're there. He doesn't cheat and his players love him. In short, he pretty much does what he was hired to do. Anyone that thinks we should be contesting for the National Championship every year is just delusional!
I always found it a little weird that Jack didn't want to play for Iowa - IE, his dad - but after watching Fran get ran after first a rage-y T and then continually sniping during the T free shots ... its starting to make much more sense now.
The only downside for him is I doubt he'll get away with little to no effort on D like he would have playing for his dad, though.
The only downside for him is I doubt he'll get away with little to no effort on D like he would have playing for his dad, though.
Like most tournaments that Iowa has played in, the mismatch at guard was astronomical. One Richmond guard easily outscored all of the Iowa guards (Sandfort, JBo, JoeT, Cmac, and Perkins) 24-16 in that game. Iowa's guard play has been a big problem during most of Fran's tenure including today.
Fran is Bo Pelini. It’s his on-court antics that are an embarrassment to the university that will eventually get him fired. It’s just a matter of when.
Unlike Howard, he hasn't put his hands on anyone else (that we know of), because the assistants usually hold him back.
But can anyone claim that they would be totally surprised if it did happen someday? When he goes out on the floor charging at an official yelling and flailing his arms, if he's not held back, what does he do? Just stop and give the staredown again?
He's going at them with body language like he wants to fight them. Does he really? Or does he back down.
Im an idealist too... I used to ask my self, would you rather be average and clean or compete for Natty's and be dirty? The fact of the matter is no one gives a shit. Look at Bill Self, K and some of the others. Been caught red handed and no cares. However, i still prefer to have a coach the does things on the up and up. For programs like Iowa, all you can expect is a chance come March. I think Fran has had a couple for seasons where they didnt reach expectations. That Richmond year being one of them...
Not at this point. If that was going to happen it already would have.
He wont be losing it this year with this team. That would look really dumb
In 2006 both Fran and Margaret were ejected at Hofstra during a bracketbusters game and a very mediocre season for Sienna.
Many of his ejections seem to come in bad double-digit losses (Michigan, at N'Western last year, UNI in 2010, etc.). Seems like they are going to have some more of those kind of lopsided losses this year.
The one close game he was ejected in was at Wisconsin about 9 years ago... That's the time he bumped one of the officials to get tossed.
Yeah, he is older now. I am not seeing that part as much anymore.
I know all about that Wisconsin game. It nearly cost him his job. If that ref gets hit, Fran is long gone.
Yet the vast majority of his players, current and past, love playing for McCaffery.
Wonder if that would be the case if he stressed playing both ends of the court?
