People wanting A new direction are insane, spoiled children. He cares. He’s a good person. Stands for players. Plays a style we all begged for. I get wanting more, but this isn’t fantasy sports. Iowa is a 20-30 program. It always will be. Accept and move on. Unless we somehow get a major donor like Oregon, it is what it is. For the Love… he’s coached 1 NPOTY. 1 that should have been. 1st team All big ten player, and an another 2nd draft pick. At times I forget the iowa Bball fan base Is the same that’s made carver the worse home court in major conference basketball
Fran Does NOT Need to Go
- Thread starter Tikinnick
- Start date
No one disputes that he cares or if he is a good person or stands for his players. Fans expect a little more results on the court. And if you think Iowa is currently a top 20-30 program, please stop posting or walk back that statement.
Couldn't disagree with you more. Fran has spent 13 years telling us about the recruits that can shoot it, put it on the deck, and play/guard multiple positions. The result is always the same. He squandered 4 years of Garza, 2 years of Keegan and I anticipate this season will be another thud with Kris. I am not asking for big ten titles, top 10 rankings or 5 star recruits but I would like to see a Dean Oliver caliber PG, something resembling defense to be played and the potential of a Sweet 16 appearance. None of these are possible with Fran as the coach.
If you had to bet on a team to make the Sweet 16 between Iowa, Drake, and ISU, who would your money be on? Mine would be on Drake or ISU before Iowa given Fran's track record of never making it.
If you had to bet on a team to make the Sweet 16 between Iowa, Drake, and ISU, who would your money be on? Mine would be on Drake or ISU before Iowa given Fran's track record of never making it.
And won a total of 2 games in the NCAA's and a BIG tourney title. Not all that much with that talent. I like the kids he brings in but he has got to get some better talent that can move their collective feet and stop someone when needed.
Until Fran commits to putting at least an average Defense on the floor, this is what we are going to get. No different on the FB side in respect to the Offense.
He has enough working parts I wonder if a defensive minded assistant could make a difference. So far Fran is the close but no cigar level and I hate to say it but many fans are like OP - resigned to pretty good but not great.
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I have adult children who have never seen Iowa in the sweet sixteen.
I don't care if he is a good person. You can appreciate what Fran has done here and at the same time realize that his time should be done.
yes it is time for him to go, he is a very average coach who can't make it out of the first weekend of the NCAA's EVER at Iowa...he also has been really bad in the BIG tournament minus last year....ad that has been with one of the best bball players in the nation on his team the last 3-4 years....
I agree with this post. I got it with Jok and Bohannon and Garza to a point. They were all somewhat physically limited to play defense-either due to a lack of quickness or strength. This year should’ve been better with Perkins and Ulis. It wasn’t. Not even close. It’s time to have a defensive-focused assistant. I love Iowa’s style of play under Fran, and I would hate to have to watch a Wisconsin style that scores in the 40-50s, but it’s time for some balance.
yea... the carousal queens want a new basketball coach too.
it doesn't even matter who the coach is... they always want a new one..
it doesn't even matter the sport.
meanwhile.. I'm gonna support the guys we do have.
if you don't support the current guy... you won't support the next guy..
guaranteed.
it doesn't even matter who the coach is... they always want a new one..
it doesn't even matter the sport.
meanwhile.. I'm gonna support the guys we do have.
if you don't support the current guy... you won't support the next guy..
guaranteed.
I remember the "geniuses" on the message boards clamoring they wanted Dr. Tom gone 20 years ago. They said we needed to go to the next level, they didn't say it was the next level down. Now we are finally back to that level and they want this coach gone too.
I get frustrated at times and could we use some tweaks here and there.... Sure. But I enjoy watching Fran's teams. I think he teaches the right way to play, I absolutely hate the Wisconsin style. Watching people actually using their athletic ability to score points instead of trying to see what grab and pull they can get away with off the ball is way more appealing.
I get frustrated at times and could we use some tweaks here and there.... Sure. But I enjoy watching Fran's teams. I think he teaches the right way to play, I absolutely hate the Wisconsin style. Watching people actually using their athletic ability to score points instead of trying to see what grab and pull they can get away with off the ball is way more appealing.
I assume you have a poster of Brian Ferentz in your room that says "Big Time OC" on it. Yikes, I am glad I have never allowed myself to believe mediocrity is all Iowa can achieve in a program. Fran recruits the same players year after year. He had divine intervention with Garza, Keegan, and Kris and still managed to underperform. If Kris leaves, he is minus a star player and has a bunch of the same caliber guys as we have on the roster coming in next year.
Wisconsin beat Iowa twice this year with their awful style of ball and has had exponentially more NCAA success than Iowa in the last 15 years. Iowa fans celebrated a BTT title like it was a Final 4. Prior to that Fran's greatest accomplishment was runner up NIT banner in CHA. Is that what probably 25+ million gets you over 13 years?
I would classify mediocrity as the 8 years under Alford. Lickliter was a dumpster fire, and Fran has brought us back to where we were with Dr. Tom more or less. I never said I was satisfied with where we are at, I just believe that the current staff has earned the right to try and make it better.
Saying that Garza and the Murrays have nothing to do with the coaching staff is not fair. It's not like these guys set the world on fire from year one, they all developed and improved every year. Next year if Kris is gone, then we'll see how good Perkins can be. Fran has always tweaked his offense to feature what he has. Defensively he needs a rim defender, which he really hasn't had since Woodbury, hopefully Freeman or Dembele can do that coming in.
Nobody is saying that Fran is beyond criticism, just that the program is not in decline.
We did get swept by Wisconsin this year, but I think their program is in decline. This Hawkeye team lives by the 3 and dies by the 3, and they died a lot this year against bad teams.
We'll see what happens next weekend if this year ends in a disappointment or if there are more highs to come.
I like Fran a lot yet torn on this. I saw us go to Final 4 in Indy and am now approaching 65 years young ( yes 40 plus years ago)
Hopefully the Swarm can help with Talent it’s just not there at this time.
In watching Kings/ Knicks last night I was blown away when they showed Villanova Team photo which had 4 NBA players.
I don’t see us going anywhere unless we play D no matter the talent. Come on Fran just 1 run, I can dream still!
Hopefully the Swarm can help with Talent it’s just not there at this time.
In watching Kings/ Knicks last night I was blown away when they showed Villanova Team photo which had 4 NBA players.
I don’t see us going anywhere unless we play D no matter the talent. Come on Fran just 1 run, I can dream still!
Not only Iowa, but Fran has never made it out of the first weekend in the NCAA tournament at ANY team he's coached! He is 0-11 so far. That is bad. Very bad.
No way Iowa is a top 20-30 team, whoever thinks that is delusional. Good to see that some posters recognize that.
Iowa is one of 10 teams in the entire country
to make the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four years
its unimaginable how stupid some people can be
I honestly don't believe some people could be more stupid if they tried their best to be more stupid.
to want Fran fired is as stupid as it gets.
to make the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four years
its unimaginable how stupid some people can be
I honestly don't believe some people could be more stupid if they tried their best to be more stupid.
to want Fran fired is as stupid as it gets.
There are some that want Fran fired, but I think most want to see some improvement. Better defense. A Sweet 16. These are not unreasonable expectations.
If you listed all the teams that made a Sweet 16 since Iowa's last appearance, it would be embarrassing.
I realize you don't care if Iowa ever wins a game in football or basketball, but the vast majority of fans do. That doesn't make them stupid.
I didn't want him fired until he managed to bungle Garza and Keegan. All Fran had to do was go get 1 maybe 2 transfers to add some complimentary pieces but he didn't. Ok, whatever but then he does absolutely 0 after Garza being NPOY. That yielded Riley Mulvey and Josh. Nice job on Rebraca but again, no complimentary pieces added because he wont' recruit over guys and isn't going to jeopardize the PT of his kids.
No secret that I don't like Fran and hope he finds another gig but that would require another P5 school to want him. With an 0-career Sweet 16 appearances that isn't likely to happen. At this point it's clear Fran simply doesn't value defense, athleticism, or the impact the portal can have on a team missing 1-2 pieces. PG play under Fran has been laughable for 13 years and counting.
look.. all of us that are actually fans... do want the Hawkeyes to win every game.
its embarrassingly stupid to suggest otherwise.
"Iowa is one of 10 teams in the entire country
to make the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four years"
Agree 100%. His resume after 13 years pathetic. If I had an employee that couldn't get it done, dump him.
I agree 83Hawk. Iowa 1 of 10 teams in the last 4 years to make the Dance? Christ, it is hard not to make it....64 teams! BTW....how many tourney games have they won?
I didn't say you didn't want the Hawks to win every game.....I said you didn't CARE if they lose every game. Read before you respond.
Fran offensive genius. D? Not so much. He should not be run off but it would be nice if he would be open to change thing up . I love watching the style. He is ethical and recruits true student athletes. I do struggle to understand how a guy who graduated from UPenn isn't more concerned about defensive efficiency. I don't think Iowa would end up better off with a new coach and I don't think it is on the radar.
Good post. I don't see the offensive genius side of Fran. The motion offense he runs doesn't offer much when 3's aren't falling and lately I have seen more jacking shots than shots coming from the offense. Overplay passing lanes, get up on Connor, double Kris/Rebraca and Fran has no answers. In part this is due to not having a PG that can break his guy down and drive to score or kick. Connor is a baller but him at PG ensures none of these things happen. Ulis is quick, plays decent defense, but has no offense. You can't have 2 guys handling the ball as much as Connor and Ulis who can't create some type of matchup advantage.
By now Fran should have figured out that PG play and defense matter and you don't have to be great at both, but can't be terrible at both, which his teams have been,
Totally agree with this statement. We've finished in the AP Top 25 4 times during Fran's tenure. The reality is that records don't lie and Fran has a long history of being "slightly better than average." His overall winning percentage at the 4 schools he's been a head coach is 59%. (Lehigh - 55.7%, UNC Greensboro - 50.8, Siena - 68.7% and Iowa - 59.9%). I think after 13 years it's time we move on with a new coach, but the reality is with Barta as AD, Fran's going nowhere.
Does anyone really think that Cook, Garza, Wieskamp, or the Murray’s are NBA players without Fran???
the tourney is a crapshoot. Deal with it.
the tourney is a crapshoot. Deal with it.
100% this ^
The only purpose continuing to retain Fran serves is to appease the fans petrified of change. There was a time Iowa fans believed the program was capable of more. Now, the fan base is content with C+ to B- results. On the flip side, while no one (sane) is expecting A+ blue-blood elite results, the idea that Iowa is capable of B+ to A- output is something we embrace as more than a pipe dream.
It can be done.
Does Fran really deserve a 14th season? C’mon.
At a P5 level, you should have a few NBA players come through your doors. I credit a couple of very involved fathers much more than I credit Fran for some of those individual success stories.
I've been a mild Fran supporter most of his time here. I don't think what he has done is fireable. I get people wanting something new, but the last 5 year stretch is probably the best 5 year stretch since Tom Davis 1987-1992, or over 30 years ago. In this thread people have said he's won only 2 NCAA tournament games and is 0-11 on opening weekend, both are incorrect. Some claim making the tournament is no big deal, but I'll take consistently being in the mix 8 out of 10 years. That means they have done the job from November-March. If he misses the tournament 2 years in a row without at least an Elite 8 run somewhere to buy him more time then I agree its time to move on.
Most frustrating thing about him is the obviously the defensive approach. I believe Fran and his coaches know defense. They just don't value it. Its not lack of athletic ability by the players most of the time. Its they are confused, have two guys on one and leaving people wide open too often. Scrambling rotations and guys pointing at each other after the fact because 1 or more players are lost. Sometimes the opponent comes down the court, makes one pass to a wide open shooter who has his feet set and been patiently waiting and not one of Iowa's players has come close to noticing him. All this tells me is they don't spend enough time on it.
Fran sits guys for mistakes offensively, but rarely for defensive issues. He seems to forget about certain guys for long stretches. His 2 foul benching rule makes players hesitant and play soft. Guys like Joe W. should have been a great defender but wasn't most of the time. Slow close outs, too eager to get back to the offensive end.
OK...now after writing this if Iowa doesn't get a win or two in this NCAA tournament you could put him on the hot seat. He needs to figure out a way compete when the shooting isn't there.
Most frustrating thing about him is the obviously the defensive approach. I believe Fran and his coaches know defense. They just don't value it. Its not lack of athletic ability by the players most of the time. Its they are confused, have two guys on one and leaving people wide open too often. Scrambling rotations and guys pointing at each other after the fact because 1 or more players are lost. Sometimes the opponent comes down the court, makes one pass to a wide open shooter who has his feet set and been patiently waiting and not one of Iowa's players has come close to noticing him. All this tells me is they don't spend enough time on it.
Fran sits guys for mistakes offensively, but rarely for defensive issues. He seems to forget about certain guys for long stretches. His 2 foul benching rule makes players hesitant and play soft. Guys like Joe W. should have been a great defender but wasn't most of the time. Slow close outs, too eager to get back to the offensive end.
OK...now after writing this if Iowa doesn't get a win or two in this NCAA tournament you could put him on the hot seat. He needs to figure out a way compete when the shooting isn't there.
Even crapshoots sometimes hit. Fran is 0-career getting to the Sweet 16 and yes, I think all the guys above get where they are at without Fran. Fran deserves some of the credit but you are acting like these guys couldn't dribble with their off hand before getting infused with Fran's brilliance. It's a good attempt at trying to run cover for you boy Fran, but you may as well try to sell us on Brian being a tremendous OC who is coveted by numerous NFL teams and we are lucky to have him.
Recruiting good players capable of getting to the next level is an expectation at P5 programs. Deal with it.
Hawks always roll craps that is coaching. At some point you need to coach defense. When s BAD offensive team scores 80 on you that is coaching or lack of
At least today he cannot cry about balls and rims
With NE,NW,MN, we should get 5/6 wins. IL and WI most years at least 2 maybe 3. Another 2 or 3 from RU, Maryland, and Penn State. That puts you at 10 B1G wins a year. Be pretty good and add 4-5 more wins. Then you add 6-8 more preseason patsy wins including ISU and another decent team and you are near 20 wins a year. Even with an average P5 team.
IMHO we should get that with just about any coach at a P5 or up and coming lower level coach we should at least maintain that record. With a good coach get to Sweet 16 most years. Fire Fran.
IMHO we should get that with just about any coach at a P5 or up and coming lower level coach we should at least maintain that record. With a good coach get to Sweet 16 most years. Fire Fran.
I am old enough to have used this exact reasoning for moving on from Dr Tom. We ended up with a giant entitled a$$hole (Alford) and a neurotic guy who didn’t like recruiting (Lickliter). I’m appreciative of being in the tournament every year now, and less inclined to move on because of that history.
I would agree with you if we were in year 6 of Fran but we aren't. If people are fine with this level then I guess that is what it is. I personally think we can be more competitive and successful.