Beth needs to pull the trigger

[longtimer]

Probably should have made a move last year when Devries was available. It appears he wanted the job. Now we have another Drake coach that is getting a lot of attention. It would make zero sense to give McCaffrey another year and lose the chance of getting McCullom. OK he has 1 year of success at Drake and is a risky pick but Iowa needs a coach like him. Worked with Lute in another era. It will be a real challenge for a coach like McCullom with no Power 5 experience and other things will need to change but he is worth a shot and it’s time

 

[Fryowa]

Probably should have made a move last year when Devries was available. It appears he wanted the job. Now we have another Drake coach that is getting a lot of attention. It would make zero sense to give McCaffrey another year and lose the chance of getting McCullom. OK he has 1 year of success at Drake and is a risky pick but Iowa needs a coach like him. Worked with Lute in another era. It will be a real challenge for a coach like McCullom with no Power 5 experience and other things will need to change but he is worth a shot and it’s time

She can pull the trigger on whoever she wants, but it's not going to mean dick if Iowa doesn't get a bunch of NIL coming in. Like 6 times the amount of NIL than they currently have. Darian DeVries isn't going to come in here and all the sudden double NIL and even if he did it's not enough to get us in the top half of the B1G ten salary-wise. The consensus is that most (if not all) of our current roster is heading to the portal here in a couple weeks, who would he all the sudden convince (and be able to pay) to come here.

You need to just finally go be an ISU fan. You love that team and how they operate as you've said here ad nauseum...just follow your gut and go bed down with them. You'll be happier in the short term and long term. They're better than Iowa in football and basketball and they spend more money on both. What's keeping you here?

 

[Hawkfnntn]

My guess is it'll happen within a week of Iowa playing their last game. At least that's my hope. I don't want Beth to drag that out into the off season long either.

What other coaching gigs are currently open? Indiana is but would we be competing against them for the same names? I don't think so. It feels like our search will be narrow. However that's just a guess. Only big hire Beth has made so far was internally for Jan and there was no messing that up.

This will be different. She could throw a hell of a curveball at us if she wanted to. I'm sure we'll all be on pins and needles to see both when/how they announce Frans leaving and the search for a new one.

 

[99topdawg]

Does the buyout go down after April 1st? That would make a difference on timing. It could be done whenever she wants but not make it official until then. I doubt it will be a public firing, just an announce retirement. I would be shocked if it's not.

Assuming he's done, Beth and her people are already talking with agents of other coaches, regardless of the timing.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Does the buyout go down after April 1st? That would make a difference on timing. It could be done whenever she wants but not make it official until then. I doubt it will be a public firing, just an announce retirement. I would be shocked if it's not.

Assuming he's done, Beth and her people are already talking with agents of other coaches, regardless of the timing.

Scott Dochterman would probably know that's a good question. Those contracts all revolve around dates and such too.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

She can pull the trigger on whoever she wants, but it's not going to mean dick if Iowa doesn't get a bunch of NIL coming in. Like 6 times the amount of NIL than they currently have. Darian DeVries isn't going to come in here and all the sudden double NIL and even if he did it's not enough to get us in the top half of the B1G ten salary-wise. The consensus is that most (if not all) of our current roster is heading to the portal here in a couple weeks, who would he all the sudden convince (and be able to pay) to come here.

You need to just finally go be an ISU fan. You love that team and how they operate as you've said here ad nauseum...just follow your gut and go bed down with them. You'll be happier in the short term and long term. They're better than Iowa in football and basketball and they spend more money on both. What's keeping you here?

Fry, you have consistently said that it doesn't matter what we do with the HC if we do not increase NIL. I agree and disagree. It almost seems like you are conflating the issues because you don't want to state the obvious, which is Fran's time at Iowa probably needs to draw to an end. The talent is deficient and the fanbase has checked out. Everything has its season.

Either way, its not helpful to making a decision on the HC by saying "it doesn't matter, our NIL sucks." While true, Beth still needs to make a decision on the HC.

I also agree that hiring DeVries won't instantly fix all NIL issues, but it can only stand to help. The fans and donors are not going to rally behind Fran if he is brought back next season and give more and show up more. We know that to be true. We have seen the trendline. But, a new guy, from Iowa, with some decent success, who is younger, and that we stole from a decent program? There would be a honeymoon phase and increased interest from the fans and donors.

Separate and apart from the decision to move on from Fran, Beth has to come up with a plan to bring Iowa's MBB NIL to a competitive position. Maybe the court settlement alone allows/requires Iowa to bridge that gap? Maybe as part of the renovations to Carver more revenue sources can be created and funneled players? I 100% agree that Beth needs to prioritize this issue, and a new coach might help her do that.

Whatever the ultimate solution to the NIL issue is, it can only be enhanced by a winning product on the basketball court and appreciably more fan and donor engagement. Right now, its hard to see those things happening if we retain Fran for another season.

 

[longtimer]

She can pull the trigger on whoever she wants, but it's not going to mean dick if Iowa doesn't get a bunch of NIL coming in. Like 6 times the amount of NIL than they currently have. Darian DeVries isn't going to come in here and all the sudden double NIL and even if he did it's not enough to get us in the top half of the B1G ten salary-wise. The consensus is that most (if not all) of our current roster is heading to the portal here in a couple weeks, who would he all the sudden convince (and be able to pay) to come here.

You need to just finally go be an ISU fan. You love that team and how they operate as you've said here ad nauseum...just follow your gut and go bed down with them. You'll be happier in the short term and long term. They're better than Iowa in football and basketball and they spend more money on both. What's keeping you here?

I’m waiting for you to donate a bunch of money. What’s holding you back

 

[Fryowa]

I’m waiting for you to donate a bunch of money. What’s holding you back

Me not wanting to donate money maybe?

Iowa being successful at sports isn't something at the top of my priority list for starters, and the portion of my income I could afford to donate would be less than a fart in the wind. I can still be a fan and root for the Hawkeyes, unlike you.

I'm also not bitching about wanting coaches fired and pissed off about Iowa's performance. Like you.

You should still go root for ISU because my points about you being happier still stand.

 

[InGoodCo]

Longtimer, ya need some patience homey, this same post over and over won't help it get here any faster. I think everyone is finally in your spot and ready for a new coach.

I really hope it isn't the Drake coach who took over a super healthy program and kept it on the tracks for a season. I hope it's the guy who built it.

 

[Dadman]

A thought- is it a possibility that Fran has a swan song season next year similar to Mr. Davis’s final year, but with a bit more “mutual love and appreciation for the years of service” vs the animosity that was just beneath the surface w Dr.Tom’s leaving?

Benefit would be stability in retaining the talent we have, along with the season long emotional aspect.

Or is the opportunity for a targeted coach carrying some urgency here?

I guess I don’t see the buyout as being a larger factor than the goodwill that could be attained by parting at a mutually beneficial time. Or has this been discussed already and I just missed the thread?

 

[99topdawg]

I really hope it isn't the Drake coach who took over a super healthy program and kept it on the tracks for a season. I hope it's the guy who built it.

I actually do want the Drake guy. While Drake had been winning before he got there, he only returned a couple of players from last year and they only averaged a couple of points per game. He brought in his own guys and still won. Also, in his last 12 years his team has won the conference all 12 years and has won 4 national championships. I don't care what level you're coaching at, they guy's a winner.

 

[Hay Man]

A thought- is it a possibility that Fran has a swan song season next year similar to Mr. Davis’s final year, but with a bit more “mutual love and appreciation for the years of service” vs the animosity that was just beneath the surface w Dr.Tom’s leaving?

Benefit would be stability in retaining the talent we have, along with the season long emotional aspect.

Or is the opportunity for a targeted coach carrying some urgency here?

I guess I don’t see the buyout as being a larger factor than the goodwill that could be attained by parting at a mutually beneficial time. Or has this been discussed already and I just missed the thread?

I believe that it's either now or never with Fran staying or going.

All of his boys would be in Indiana and nothing keeping him here other than his Iowa job. This would be the perfect time for him to watch them all play without the stress of everything coaching gives him.

If he stays, it would seem to me that he has every intention to continue for a few years longer.

I would imagine that Beth and Fran have had discussions this season about the future of the program and one would assume that if Fran isn't going to be part of that future, Beth has already reached out to the next coach. We can all wish for who we want it to be, but more times than not, we get someone we weren't expecting.

 

[longtimer]

Me not wanting to donate money maybe?

Iowa being successful at sports isn't something at the top of my priority list for starters, and the portion of my income I could afford to donate would be less than a fart in the wind. I can still be a fan and root for the Hawkeyes, unlike you.

I'm also not bitching about wanting coaches fired and pissed off about Iowa's performance. Like you.

You should still go root for ISU because my points about you being happier still stand.

Don’t know how many times I can say it. I’m not a Clones fan period. I have been a Hawkeye fan for over 60 years you can believe it or not I don’t care
Doesn’t mean I can not be objective. Iowas program is in the depths for a number of reasons including coaching. Iowa States program is eons above ours. I don’t know how much NIL money they have and I doubt you know either. They have great crowds good coaching and a great place to play. Objectively their program is much better. I don’t agree that their football program is better. I think we have been far superior for a long time.
We are in the Big Ten and they are not. Advantage Iowa

 

[Fryowa]

Fry, you have consistently said that it doesn't matter what we do with the HC if we do not increase NIL. I agree and disagree. It almost seems like you are conflating the issues because you don't want to state the obvious, which is Fran's time at Iowa probably needs to draw to an end. The talent is deficient and the fanbase has checked out. Everything has its season.

Either way, its not helpful to making a decision on the HC by saying "it doesn't matter, our NIL sucks." While true, Beth still needs to make a decision on the HC.

I also agree that hiring DeVries won't instantly fix all NIL issues, but it can only stand to help. The fans and donors are not going to rally behind Fran if he is brought back next season and give more and show up more. We know that to be true. We have seen the trendline. But, a new guy, from Iowa, with some decent success, who is younger, and that we stole from a decent program? There would be a honeymoon phase and increased interest from the fans and donors.

Separate and apart from the decision to move on from Fran, Beth has to come up with a plan to bring Iowa's MBB NIL to a competitive position. Maybe the court settlement alone allows/requires Iowa to bridge that gap? Maybe as part of the renovations to Carver more revenue sources can be created and funneled players? I 100% agree that Beth needs to prioritize this issue, and a new coach might help her do that.

Whatever the ultimate solution to the NIL issue is, it can only be enhanced by a winning product on the basketball court and appreciably more fan and donor engagement. Right now, its hard to see those things happening if we retain Fran for another season.

I do think Fran is done here. All signs would point to it. Should it? Probably. Should he be fired? I don't think so. I'd negotiate an amicable deal if I was Iowa

There are some folks on Rivals who have really deep inside connections and what I have read it sounds like there are a lot of factors leading me to believe this whole roster is gone. Which in a way is a Captain Obvious situation.

-I've heard from two people (not online) that Freeman is at odds with the locker room for sitting out the rest of the year. What I've heard is his injury isn't as serious as it's being described and he could play if he wanted to. So there's that friction.

-The word is that the rest of the starters not graduating have said they're entering the portal. That would naturally lead the rest of them to bolt.

-Fran sold his house and moved into a major downgrade (for a multimillionaire). That isn't insignificant.

I think Fran is probably gone and has told players so. I would be surprised if he’s here next year

 

[Fryowa]

Iowa States program is eons above ours. I don’t know how much NIL money they have and I doubt you know either. They have great crowds good coaching and a great place to play. Objectively their program is much better.

Read some college sports news sometime and you’ll see they have FAR more NIL and spending in athletics in general.

And as far as you not being an ISU fan, LOL.

You do nothing here other than sing the praises of ISU and trash the Hawkeyes. You may be closeted and in denial, cut you are absolutely an ISU fan by definition.

Go join your people. You’ll be happier and we’ll be happier too. Win/win.

 

[trj]

Does the buyout go down after April 1st? That would make a difference on timing. It could be done whenever she wants but not make it official until then. I doubt it will be a public firing, just an announce retirement. I would be shocked if it's not.

Assuming he's done, Beth and her people are already talking with agents of other coaches, regardless of the timing.

Scott Dochterman would probably know that's a good question. Those contracts all revolve around dates and such too.

I thought the buyout dropped from 4 million to little over 2 million after April 1st. Apparently, I am wrong on that. The people THAT DO KNOW never mention it, so it is not a thing or it doesn’t exist. 3 months ago, I would have said that Fran and BG were playing a cat and mouse game for the extra 2 million…ask me now, and I would tell you it really doesn’t matter at this point.

 

[trj]

I actually do want the Drake guy. While Drake had been winning before he got there, he only returned a couple of players from last year and they only averaged a couple of points per game. He brought in his own guys and still won. Also, in his last 12 years his team has won the conference all 12 years and has won 4 national championships. I don't care what level you're coaching at, they guy's a winner.

Given his style of play, it is hard to watch, if you are not winning games. Is that a dumb, oxymoronic type sentence on my part? Absolutely. You have been around here a long time, you know what I am capable of. Back to Ben McCollum, he is the complete opposite of Fran. You are waiting until the last second of the shot clock to get shots off. You want limited possessions, as opposed to Fran, that wanted as many possessions as possible out of transition.

Since @longtimer started this thread, we will do an ISU comp. Otezlberger wasn’t/isn’t bringing in NBA calibur guys the way Hoiberg did. He just finds dudes that fit the way he wants to play basketball. It doesn’t matter if it is McCollum or Devries, you are going to need a similar blueprint.

 

[99topdawg]

Given his style of play, it is hard to watch, if you are not winning games. Is that a dumb, oxymoronic type sentence on my part? Absolutely. You have been around here a long time, you know what I am capable of. Back to Ben McCollum, he is the complete opposite of Fran. You are waiting until the last second of the shot clock to get shots off. You want limited possessions, as opposed to Fran, that wanted as many possessions as possible out of transition.

Since @longtimer started this thread, we will do an ISU comp. Otezlberger wasn’t/isn’t bringing in NBA calibur guys the way Hoiberg did. He just finds dudes that fit the way he wants to play basketball. It doesn’t matter if it is McCollum or Devries, you are going to need a similar blueprint.

Totally agree. When Lick first became the coach, I would have arguments/discussions about him. People hated his style. I have no problems with his, or any style. I would point to Virginia and their 2019 national championship. They played slooooow.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I do think Fran is done here. All signs would point to it. Should it? Probably. Should he be fired? I don't think so. I'd negotiate an amicable deal if I was Iowa

There are some folks on Rivals who have really deep inside connections and what I have read it sounds like there are a lot of factors leading me to believe this whole roster is gone. Which in a way is a Captain Obvious situation.

-I've heard from two people (not online) that Freeman is at odds with the locker room for sitting out the rest of the year. What I've heard is his injury isn't as serious as it's being described and he could play if he wanted to. So there's that friction.

-The word is that the rest of the starters not graduating have said they're entering the portal. That would naturally lead the rest of them to bolt.

-Fran sold his house and moved into a major downgrade (for a multimillionaire). That isn't insignificant.

I think Fran is probably gone and has told players so. I would be surprised if he’s here next year

Totally agree on Fran's departure being amicable. I hope he stays a part of the program the way Davis did. I doubt Fran stays in Iowa City, but who knows. He has some roots here and enough cash to have several houses.

Given the current status of athletics, I think just about any change of head coach is a tear down and rebuild type of situation. Maybe the Iowa kids wait long enough to give the new coach a chance to be heard. But, I agree the roster will look different.

Devries agent is the first call Beth makes and she should have already made it. It would not surprise me if there is a relatively quick announcement after the last game. It would not seem Iowa has any post season tournaments unless something weird happens.

 

[trj]

I do think Fran is done here. All signs would point to it. Should it? Probably. Should he be fired? I don't think so. I'd negotiate an amicable deal if I was Iowa

There are some folks on Rivals who have really deep inside connections and what I have read it sounds like there are a lot of factors leading me to believe this whole roster is gone. Which in a way is a Captain Obvious situation.

-I've heard from two people (not online) that Freeman is at odds with the locker room for sitting out the rest of the year. What I've heard is his injury isn't as serious as it's being described and he could play if he wanted to. So there's that friction.

-The word is that the rest of the starters not graduating have said they're entering the portal. That would naturally lead the rest of them to bolt.

-Fran sold his house and moved into a major downgrade (for a multimillionaire). That isn't insignificant.

I think Fran is probably gone and has told players so. I would be surprised if he’s here next year

^^^^^All of this is out there. You don’t need to have a premium subscription to whatever or have Frys’ connections…all of this out there. You just have to figure out what you want to believe and what you don’t.