Fran IS a solid coach

[Cover3]

In the midst of checking out the rare non-conference BBall meltdown, I've seen a few assertions that Fran is a terrible coach. Over 31 games last year, I saw an overmatched team hang with the big boys in a very tough Big Ten, I saw the Hawks make at least a mini-run out of almost every timeout (a sign of good coaching), and I saw more cutting and useful ball movement than in the entire Alford/Lickliter combined era. I don't think the last two games invalidate that.

I would like to see a little less pressing on D; we're giving up easy buckets without forcing too many TOs (still want to see a moderate amount of pressure, of course), but other than that adjustment, I think some simple motivation and focus will get it turned around. Fran will have us gunning for upsets in the Big Ten season, just like last year. The wins still might be few and far between, but in almost all of our 31 games last year, Fran showed he was a great coach. Give him time.

(Also, remember we lost to South Dakota State last year by 10 at home. This Campbell loss doesn't mean we can't come out and scrap with OSU, Purdue, and Wisconsin the rest of the season.)

 

[PalmettoHawkFan]

He can coach.

The problem is the talent.

 

[FalseMirage]

He can recruit too which will take care of the problem.

 

[GhostofBTT]

He can coach.

The problem is the talent.

 

[AHawk1]

Fran is going to do just fine. People need to realize this basketball program had fallen to a similar level of Iowa Football-PreHayden. He's all ready got a great class coming in. Give him time. He can coach and he can recruit, but there is very limited talent on the current roster.

 

[hawkforlife9]

He sucks. Last night was an embarrassment.

 

[83Hawk]

Fran will get it done. The talent just isn't there right now. Fans need to be patient...next year things will look better, and the year after the Hawks should challenge for an NCAA bid.

 

[TChawk]

That is why players have got worse from last year to this year...

 

[TritonHawkeye]

Fran will get it done. This team lacks a leader, which will be addressed next season.

Also being addressed are guys that can create their own shot. Was happy that marble appeared to be taking it to the hoop. Like to see Oglesby do more of that as it will give him greater space from behind the arc.

 

[BlackGold57]

Fran is fortunate he has the support of the fan base, for now anyway. Recruiting may not be as strong as people think, time will tell. Of the last two classes, Josh O is the only one of the 5 having any impact so far this year, and then there is Hubbard. Existing players are not improving so far from last year, and that naturally has to happen. Otherwise, the excuse of "they are young" is meaningless.

Cole is gone, and he was a big factor down the stretch last year.

You have to coach what you recruit, and right now, that will need to improve, otherwise, you are asking a class to come in next year and be leaders as freshman. Some of Lick's players arguably should have been removed, based on last year and so far this year.

I hope it changes or this could spiral quickly with attendance and fan support, which could mean potential decommits from the new class. Fans will support players that play hard and smart, but not the effort recently.

 

[clicheusername3]

Lost to Campbell. end/

 

[1hawkeye1]

In the midst of checking out the rare non-conference BBall meltdown, I've seen a few assertions that Fran is a terrible coach.

Nowhere have I seen this assertion.

 

[HawkForce]

Fire.Fran.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

Fran will get it done. The talent just isn't there right now. Fans need to be patient...next year things will look better, and the year after the Hawks should challenge for an NCAA bid.

Just got back from a 5 day Caribbean cruise and "tried" to watch the game against Creighton, and just saw that we lost at home to Campbell by 15 points. WTF?????

After the past 10 years, I am out of patience. I'm done with that. All I can do is sit back and observe this program from a distance and hope that someday Iowa hoops is competetive again. Until then, I'm done being emotionally invested in it. Next year's recruiting class should be a good start, but until then.... ouch.

 

[HawkForce]

I really have to question Fran taking Oges out of the game and chewing him out for passing it behind the back. It's not Josh's fault Zach isn't paying attention. The ball hit him in the hands, it was a good pass! Would he have chewed out Oliver or Horner when they made passes like that? Kinda makes me wonder why he was recruiting Guerrero. Cezar is all about making magnificent passes like that.

Yeah it's becoming apparent Fran wouldn't even know what to do with a guy like Guerrero. And Cezar probably knew that.

 

[BlackGold57]

After watching the last two games, he probably told JO that he should know that our players don't pay attention, feel sorry for themselves, and need much more time to develop, or just aren't talented.

I thought it was the play of the game for us, nice pass, other than the one play May woke up for a dunk.

 

[Johnnyhawkeye]

Aren't we jumping the gun a little bit here, let's see how this season and the next couple seasons go with all of his recruits. We have a massive upgrade in size and talent coming in next season ...stay the course folks, this ship will get righted.

 

[IATrainMaster101]

Aren't we jumping the gun a little bit here, let's see how this season and the next couple seasons go with all of his recruits. We have a massive upgrade in size and talent coming in next season ...stay the course folks, this ship will get righted.

Seriously. I remember watching Horton, Armstrong, Marble and Ray Thompson getting smoked by long beach state with the good doctor coaching.

Look around the country. These games are happening every where as mid majors are consistently running deep into the Tourney.

This team will learn and grow but us still weak in a few key areas.

To the point of the Oglesby pass, he should have been talked to and McCabe deserved the lashing. Whats the point of working down low and being surprised by a pass.

 

[TheNebraskaHawk]

Fran IS a very good coach. Fran WILL get it done here at Iowa. Those of you bashing him at this point only show how unrealistic your expectations are...

 

[big10fan]

Yeah it's becoming apparent Fran wouldn't even know what to do with a guy like Guerrero. And Cezar probably knew that.

yeah, you're right, we should fire him right now. he is sooo terrible, i can't believe how many shots he misses per game and how he purposely made mel and BC go into slumps. he's sooo terrible. that, and we should fire him so we don't get that top 20 recruiting class he just signed. i'm sure gesell will be happier at stanford and woodbury at unc.

chill out dude. you're over the top, even for a message board. we gave lick 3 years to bury the program. we should at the very least give fran a shot to turn it around. it may or may not happen, but if you were expecting a 20 win program right off the bat, that's your fault.

besides, fire a dude in his second year, who do you think will sign up to be the next coach? let me guess, you want bruce pearl......well, he'll be available in a few years....