That’s fine, but does constantly screaming from the rafters get you any closer?
A 23 year drought isn’t a string of bad luck, and it isn’t an anomaly. It’s a product of the NCAA basketball environment. That environment is not what it was in the 80s and it’s going to get harder and harder every year to make it. Hell, it took an errant Hail Mary bank shot 3 just to advance in the BTT, in the weakest P6 conference when you look at tourney results compared to rankings.
You’re doing nothing but setting yourself up for disappointment, we do t need to hear it constantly how bad the Hawks suck or how bad the coaching sucks, depending on the year.
I actually do think that is exactly what needs to be done though.
First though, we both agree it would be incredibly foolish for Fran to be fired. That would be Mr. Davis 2.0.....and I think we both agree Iowa is not quite the program it once was.
But, that said, I don't think we should be throwing in the towel and saying Iowa is doomed to just making the NCAAs and nothing else.
Although we can't (better yet should not) fire Fran, that does not mean we should sit back and be silent.
I think fans and the media need to be vocal. Or, to borrow the words of Tom Cruise from the movie The Last Samurai, "treat him with a mild neglect." Almost like an unwanted houseguest, but you are not going to kick him out because he does show some value or some hopeful potential.
IMHO, we can't marginalize ourselves. Fran, the players, (and the U of I) needs to keep hearing we want the program to continue to progress. Otherwise, we can vote with our dollars and join in with others and laugh at the punchline we become during March (because it beats sorrow).
I will say it again, I think Fran did a tremendous job getting this program off the mat. And, I think we should be forever grateful for that. I think he keeps the program competitive, he keeps the program's head above water, and he should be in no danger of losing his job.
But, he still has a problem with ending seasons on something (venturing an educated guess) the vast majority of Hawkeye Fans can be real excited about. I think he (and his family) have some ego issues and act in a fashion that they have done more than they really have. I think some fans really went overboard at them on twitter and that is unfortunate. But there seems to be unnecessary riffs that have been happening there between fans and the players alike.
My hope is Fran either continues to elevate the program (most preferable) or the growing discontent eventually leads to a mutually parting of ways with hopefully Iowa still on a relatively strong footing of being a regular NCAA participant.
I don't know how long that breaking point is (if ever), but I do know Fran is not exactly a young coach. But, he does have it made here, so it is reasonable he could finish out his career at Iowa.
Because, if push comes to shove, I think Iowa can get another Fran level coach in the door at minimum and Fran could easily go to another program back East and be just fine.
And, a failed hire, a swing and a miss, should be just as easy to dismiss as Lickliter.
23 years without a Sweet 16 or better is ridiculous at Iowa, especially when having a Luka Garza and KM walk through your doors. And, Fran owns almost half of those years. Again, it is not all Fran's fault, there are others players in this I mentioned above (and I think laid the heavy groundwork for this program's NCAA troubles).
