I don't expect anyone to agree with me, but I'm just being honest. This very well could be more of a 'me' problem than anything, but it's been bugging me for a long time.
The first time I saw Fran when Iowa hired him, I had a visceral reaction to him. I can't explain why, but my gut feeling about him was extremely negative, like I wanted to punch him in the face. There's just something about his demeanor I'm uneasy with. I sensed a contrived tough-guy act and got the feeling he was trying to be somebody bigger. Kinda like short-man's syndrome.
I've tried to ignore this gut feeling, but things kept happening to confirm it. I like a coach with some fire, but he seemed to lack the maturity to control it. At Wisconsin last year, McCabe's problems, the team's collapse down the stretch. All this confirmed in my mind that the team was taking on his lack of composure.
Believe me, I'm not one to miss watching Iowa hoops, but this year I've watched about 2 1/2 games. I haven't been able to shake my negative Fran instinct. I just feel dirty at the sight of him.
I've seen Woody's eye-poke replays and I have no idea if they're intentional. Only Woody knows that. What I do know is that Fran is, once again, showing his lack of composure and making a bad situation worse. It looks bad and I don't blame the national media for piling on.
Fran might be a great guy and a great coach, but my gut instinct still tells me that I need to punch him in the face. Would I ever do this? Of course not. My upbringing and my conscience wouldn't allow it. But come on, Fran. Prove my gut-feeling about you wrong for once.