A proper rebuilding job requires starting from scratch.

[83Hawk]

A lot of short-sighted Chicken Littles are already panicking because of a transfer (who was going to leave anyway) and a couple of lost recruits. This needs to stop.

When you have a program at near rock-bottom, in order to properly rebuild you need to basically start from scratch. Get rid of the deadwood. Anyone who is not 100% committed who wants to go.....let them go.

Fran's first priority is to get his staff in place. It would be a HUGE mistake to slap one together. Once this is done, they can go out and get players who:
1. want to be at Iowa
2. will fit Fran's playing style.

It is very important that Coach Fran lays the proper foundation FIRST...then build from there.

Next season will be brutal. But I expect to see continuing improvement not only by the end of the season, but each year thereafter. I am MUCH more optimistic Fran will get the job done than I was with Lick.

We have to trust that Fran knows what he is doing and be glad he is not panicking and trying to slap band-aids on a program that needs major surgery.

I put my deposit down for a season BB ticket. I've been a fan for over 40 years and this is my first time purchasing a BB season ticket. I am excited for the future of this program.

 

[hawk2012]

1) Clearly McCaf thought they were good enough to keep as he attempted to rerecruit them.
2) Problem is we are not starting from scratch -- just 3 players out of what 10? Instead we lost arguably our best player and arguably our best recruits. That's like cutting the good part of the apple out and leaving the bruised spots. Cleaning house only works if it is the other way around.
3) How's starting from scratch working out at Indiana?
4) While I don't think McCaf is to blame, this incident does raise a yellow flag. When McCaf was first hired there was skepticism because he wasn't a proven recruiter. Then Iowa fans fell in love with him because he sold himself as the anti-Lickliter and brought up Jess Settles. However, there is early indication that the recruits are not loving McCaf as much as the fans. Recruiting in essence is selling kids on your program, so losing these players does not speak well on his ability to do that. For example, if McCaf failed by flying down to arizona to convince Fuller to stay and failed then shouldn't we be considered about his ability to do the same thing to sell himself on the kind of recruits Iowa fans seem to be expecting.
4) I'm not saying McCaf was a bad hire. I'm not saying he can't recruit. But this incident should raise questions in any fan that is thinking rationally about the situation. So far in retaining players McCaf is 0 for 3.
5)While you're tired of "panicking Chicken Littles," I'm tired of fans that are trying to spin this as a positive. Losing your best players and your two best recruits is not a good thing. If we had lost Brommer and Archie you could make that argument well in regards to cleaning house, but it just doesn't work in this case. It's not Fran's fault, I have faith in the new coach, etc. Those are arguments I can accepts.
6)I'm glad you are at least putting your money where your mouth is re: season tickets. For that reason, I respect your opinion.

 

[loesshillshawk]

Step back from the cliff my friends...

 

[83Hawk]

Hawk2012....good response. I guess I would counter with:

1. The program is in shambles. Players leaving has been the norm under Lick, so I can't say I'm surprised more are leaving now.

2. We don't really know how good a recruiter Fran will be at Iowa yet. He was able to get players at Siena so I see no reason why he can't get players to Iowa.

3. Who he has on his staff is going to be more important in the future than the loss of a few commits now.

4. We were going to lose multiple players if Lick were retained. At least now Fran will be able to go after guys that want to be here.

5. We don't know how hard Fran tried to convince Brust, Fuller and Larson to stay. Maybe he really didn't put that much effort into it because he didn't want anyone who is not 100% committed to the Hawks.

It is way too early, IMO, to start the panicking and gnashing of teeth. Let's see what happens.