I'm starting to think hiring Fran will ultimately be judged as a brilliant move by Barta whenever his tenure as Iowa AD ends.
The depths to which Iowa basketball had fallen by late February, not only in losses and attendance, but the lack of emotional connection to the program for all of us who grew up watching in the '80s, was shocking.
If Fran gets Rodell (or another talented young assistant with Chicago connections), the caliber of the staff will have improved three fold compared to the previous regime.
On top of that, Barta found a guy who appears to consider this a destination job, says all the things we've wanted to hear but in a genuine way, and seems committed to playing a fun style.
Oh yeah, and Barta found him at a pretty good price.
Other than Pearl, what more could we have hoped for?