Why is Fran recruiting so well?

[BigAssTurkeyLeg]

By all accounts the team on the floor the last few games and Fran’s demeanor make it seem like he is in the twilight of his time at Iowa.

But weirdly, recruiting seems to be picking up. Why do you think this is? Will Fran stick around for a while?

 

[AmericaNeedsMe]

By all accounts the team on the floor the last few games and Fran’s demeanor make it seem like he is in the twilight of his time at Iowa.

But weirdly, recruiting seems to be picking up. Why do you think this is? Will Fran stick around for a while?

Probably another ten years ...five for sure. He's a young 65.

 

[iowalawhawk]

I have thought about this too, and have a few possible theories:

1. Iowa's NIL package is better now. Not sure if that's true.
2. Fran's kids are off of the team. The sad thing is that if that was truly what was holding us back, it held us back for like 8 or 9 years.
3. It's not really better. The players are more athletic but without complete games (ie Tadjo).
4. Ever picked up a girl at a bar or party when you absolutely weren't looking to do so? Feel like that was easier than when you were desperate? Maybe Fran has a foot out the door and it has unlocked something in his recruiting. A "take it or leave it" attitude may work better for him than whatever he did before.

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

I haven't really followed recruiting, but unless he's bringing in the next Raef LaFrentz or Harrison Barnes, I can't imagine that the incoming talent he's expecting would save his job. This program is on life support.

 

[QChawks]

recruiting at a big ten school shouldn't be difficult

Iowa has solid facilities and is on major TV nearly every night

plus, it's great for kids that don't want to play D and just shoot a lot

 

[AmericaNeedsMe]

I think kids and parents recognize how innovative he is.

For example, I hear he's trying to work out the first remote coaching arrangement in college basketball. He's going to coach next year's team from Indianapolis using Zoom.

That's next level, out of the box management!

 

[Nagarunja]

I have thought about this too, and have a few possible theories:


3. It's not really better. The players are more athletic but without complete games (ie Tadjo).

This.

 

[Fran-Con-2]

recruiting at a big ten school shouldn't be difficult

Iowa has solid facilities and is on major TV nearly every night

plus, it's great for kids that don't want to play D and just shoot a lot

“Solid Facilities”

 

[tumorboy]

I’d like to keep Spurlock and Gatens. Not sure how Fran recruits soft guys and or his coaching makes them soft.

 

[Max_Rebo]

I’m not convinced recruiting has really picked up. If a few of these guys make it to campus and perform well, I’ll feel differently.

Besides, it’s not uncommon to see what appears to be an uptick in recruiting at the end of a coach’s tenure. Anyone remember Beas Hamga? He was a pretty big-time recruit that I believe committed to Alford right before he left for New Mexico. Never made it to Iowa City. It seems like there were a couple other guys Alford was rumored to be in good with as well, though their names aren’t coming to me.

 

[Rambler Hawk]

I have thought about this too, and have a few possible theories:

1. Iowa's NIL package is better now. Not sure if that's true.
2. Fran's kids are off of the team. The sad thing is that if that was truly what was holding us back, it held us back for like 8 or 9 years.
3. It's not really better. The players are more athletic but without complete games (ie Tadjo).
4. Ever picked up a girl at a bar or party when you absolutely weren't looking to do so? Feel like that was easier than when you were desperate? Maybe Fran has a foot out the door and it has unlocked something in his recruiting. A "take it or leave it" attitude may work better for him than whatever he did before.

I too have been thinking about this, in some ways it is ironically worrisome because it might buy him another 5 years. (See Brothers Murray)

I agree that #2 could play a role, hard to ever prove though.

Maybe in some ways he had felt pressured to recruit Iowa kids in the past and now he is like F it. Sorry, I know many posters seem to be enamored with the Brothers Sandfort but they wouldn’t sniff the floor in any upper tier BT program save Payton being a hired gun off the bench in certain situations. 😎

 

[LaQuintaHawkeye]

View embedded media

“Solid Facilities”

that does look a bit cramped and outdated ...can only imagine what the ladies locker room looks like

 

[Rambler Hawk]

that does look a bit cramped and outdated ...can only imagine what the ladies locker room looks like

Yeah, I think the Beech Wood look faded away in the early 90’s….😎

 

[HawkLogic]

If he doesn't do his job, which includes recruiting, that might be grounds for firing for cause. His contract might be ironclad though, so maybe only moral turpitude could get him fired without guaranteed money. Certainly Nepotism/self dealing scholarships and playing time to his own kids was never problematic.

His recent recruits are more athletic/African American in composition than past classes. However they probably lack basketball skills like shooting, ball handling, understanding concepts on defense, etc. I wouldn't mind seeing what Tadjo could do even if he does suck, because at least he has upside.

Fran could leave with a solid legacy. Accept a reduced buyout, shape up this current year's team, and move on. Ceremony to honor him at last home game, free tickets to an NCAA Sweet16, Elite8, etc near the bench so he can get his first experience in his long career.

 

[AmericaNeedsMe]

I guess I don't agree with the premise.

According to 247, our '25 class is ranked 12th in the Big Ten and 53d nationally. We have signed zero 4 or 5 star recruits.

I don't see how this is "better" than past classes. Seems right on par with past classes so far. We've signed no one for the '26 class.

 

[ICWestfan]

Is recruiting really picking up? I may be FOS or crazy, but it seems like Fran has always been in on big name recruits, he's just never been able to close the deal. May be because of Pre-NIL bags of cash, or kids get "better" offers, but that sure seems to be the case.

It also seems like Fran has a "type" of recruit that he pursues. From this untrained eye, he seems to almost want to build a team like the Oregon team that beat Iowa in the NCAA's; 6'7" or so and lean and athletic. That's just me though.

 

[RocknRollface]

I think by better, people mean black players that don't fit the traditional Fran mold of tall and skilled but not athletic.

My wild conspiracy/fantasy theory is that Fran is basically letting Spurlock do the recruiting because he doesn't care anymore and is going to leave.

 

[Falconhawks]

I have thought about this too, and have a few possible theories:

1. Iowa's NIL package is better now. Not sure if that's true.
2. Fran's kids are off of the team. The sad thing is that if that was truly what was holding us back, it held us back for like 8 or 9 years.
3. It's not really better. The players are more athletic but without complete games (ie Tadjo).
4. Ever picked up a girl at a bar or party when you absolutely weren't looking to do so? Feel like that was easier than when you were desperate? Maybe Fran has a foot out the door and it has unlocked something in his recruiting. A "take it or leave it" attitude may work better for him than whatever he did before.

I have been thinking about this as well and look at #2. Frans kids are gone, maybe he isn't as fiery as before because his kids aren't on the team. Everyone says he is more laid back. COuld be due to his kids being off the team

 

[RocknRollface]

I have been thinking about this as well and look at #2. Frans kids are gone, maybe he isn't as fiery as before because his kids aren't on the team. Everyone says he is more laid back. COuld be due to his kids being off the team

Some of his biggest blow ups were before his kids.
When he first started he'd have a melt down every few games.

 

[Max_Rebo]

Some of his biggest blow ups were before his kids.
When he first started he'd have a melt down every few games.

In fairness, the whole marketing slogan when he was hired was “Let’s get mad again.”

 

[LukaDuka]

View embedded media

“Solid Facilities”

That

View embedded media

“Solid Facilities”

The only dancing they will be doing this March. They should spend more time choreographing their defense and not their silly dance moves.

 

[Rambler Hawk]

I guess I don't agree with the premise.

According to 247, our '25 class is ranked 12th in the Big Ten and 53d nationally. We have signed zero 4 or 5 star recruits.

I don't see how this is "better" than past classes. Seems right on par with past classes so far. We've signed no one for the '26 class.

In defense of myself and others, the bar has been set pretty low so any inkling of athleticism on their vids gives me/others a sliver of hope….😎

 

[ichawk24]

Any recruiting "success" is fools gold. Most will flee when he is fired.

 

[BioHawk]

By all accounts the team on the floor the last few games and Fran’s demeanor make it seem like he is in the twilight of his time at Iowa.

But weirdly, recruiting seems to be picking up. Why do you think this is? Will Fran stick around for a while?

It's like this every year and as it turns out, those players don't end up being as good as advertised. Well, that's not true, he just keeps recruiting the exact same player. Slow guys that can get streaky and hit the 3. He'll have a big guy underneath who is responsible for literally all the rebounding and still needs to put up 20 points a game. None of them can play any defense.