Fryowa
Administrator
I'll settle for a couple S16's at this point
Now That The Novelty Has Died Down Some...
- Thread starter Fryowa
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NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
I find these numbers to be shocking, if true. If Iowa had that kind of money, why would it spend it on Missouri Valley guys instead of seeking to retain the three main players who left? Are we to believe that Creighton spent less on Dix and Owens than we spent on the Drake transfers????
I wonder if part of his "estimate" is taking into account payments over time as a result of the House Settlement? Otherwise, I cannot square Iowa having this sort of money to spend on the caliber of players that have committed so far. Something does not add up.
kicker22
Well-Known Member
Just my two cents, but just because they were "the three main players that left" doesn't necessarily mean that we should retain them. They were "three main players" under Fran's system. To be honest, how do we know that in Ben's new system the guys that he brought in weren't seen as better investments in a new system.
I'm in agreement that with a new coach we want his system and guys he feels best fit that system. And although this may not be fair to the players, they were equally as responsible as Fran was for the program getting to where it was the past two years. I'm OK with new guys and have no issue with money being spent to bring in new blood rather than retaining the old blood.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
I can only go by what my eyes showed me, which is that those three guys could ball; and Coach McCollum's words that he wanted the fans to recruit them to stay. If Coach thought they did not fit, not sure why he would make the effort to keep them.
I don't think it is fair at all to point the fingers at those three guys as the reason Fran's program came to an end. The decision to move on from Fran was many years in the making, and ultimately, it was on Fran to put guys in around the three to elevate the program and for whatever reason, that did not occur. The notion that McCollum did not want Josh Dix to return is rather ludicrous.
HuckFinn
Well-Known Member
Whoa! The last numbers available that I saw for Iowa men’s BB was less than 3 million $$. 2.3 maybe?
This was around the time Fran was fired. Talk was that the Iowa sports donors were zeroed in on football, and BB was simply not receiving much attention. I can’t recall the source(s), but it is likely that I got my number from HN or Hawk Central, or both.
Wisconsin for example, was listed at around 5 million $ and its $$ was “middle of the pack.”
Feedback, any one? Am I confused about what I saw? I am old, but …
HuckFinn
Well-Known Member
I think you are right on, North.
BigD
Well-Known Member
Scratch where it itches............ in basketball.
Wait am I on the football side of forums. LONG LIVE THE MEMORY of Hayden.
JoeyLabasForPresident
Well-Known Member
“Estimated” is doing the heavy lifting there. That account probably puts some multi-million dollar price tag on Stirtz alone. Who knows, maybe 3 or 4 million. Iowa isn’t paying him that.
BigD
Well-Known Member
He was quoted as saying that the money he would have gotten playing for another coach and another team wasn’t as important to him as playing for BMC.
Has any of players that left Iowa said that about Fran? They could prove it very easily by following Fran to Penn.
Then comes the question about what those players really valued. Apparently it wasn’t wearing the Iowa uniform or following Fran.
The only other possibility is that they didn’t care for the lack of fan support.
On and on with the attendance, the apathy over and over but yet it is too soon to tell if the fans miss Fran?? I do not think the majority miss Fran or will miss him for whatever reason. Not sure where you get that. Time to move on.
99topdawg
Well-Known Member
I thought the same thing but realized that we need ~12 players.
99topdawg
Well-Known Member
I do know from someone close to someone in the know said the donors were tired of the Frattitude that Fran gave them. They were ready to open their wallets after he left. He wasn't ready to accept the changing landscape and wouldn't stroke their egos. Sounds like it was a two way street.
HawkeyeHypnosis
Well-Known Member
Never said majority miss Fran. I’m saying it will be a few years before any results are even comparable. He’s the most winning coach in Iowa basketball history, deserves a bit more respect than he was given in my opinion. Don’t know where you get haven’t moved on? I’ve said over and over I am happy with the hire and will be supportive of the new coach and players. Ben hasn’t coached a single game as a Hawkeye and time will tell if this was a great move or not.
Hawke
Well-Known Member
Fran also has the most losses in program history. He holds both records courtesy of Barta’s ineptitude in giving him unwarranted contract extensions. To paraphrase Ferentz, Fran was gifted the position to coach like a fat cat and he took full advantage of the situation by continually trying to pound square pegs into round holes. The fanbase and the donors responded by staying away in droves. This is not the recipe for earning respect, it’s the way to return to the mid-major level from whence he came (and belongs). Next man should’ve been brought in no later than after Oregon outscored the Iowa backcourt 63-0 in the NCAA’s.
NorthKCHawk
Well-Known Member
Personally, I don't think either of your takes represents where most fans were at with Fran. I think most appreciated how he took the program from dumpster fire to consistent winner and respectability. He sustained his above average program for an extended period. He played a fun brand of basketball and it was not boring. But, it became more and more obvious that he was a coach with a high floor, but a low ceiling. And, whoever's fault it was, the fans and donors checked out. A change was needed. It was handled well both ways for the most part. Most fans are grateful for Fran's service and wish him and his boys nothing but success in the future. Everything has its season. Fran's time at Iowa needed to come to an end.
kicker22
Well-Known Member
I didn't realize McCollum wanted the fans to recruit the players to stay so for that I stand corrected. I also wasn't pointing the finger at the three of them specifically, but the results simply weren't there the last two seasons and while its not solely on the players they are responsible for some of it.
That said I stand behind what I said. It is my belief (and I realize it may not be shared by many) that while I believe there were talented players in the portal that could have came back, we are better off with new blood. I realize they may make us a better team in the long run, but I also think as a fan I'm ready for a fresh start and content with the new players and more then ready to move on from those former players that opted out of the portal or moved for better financial opportunities The guys that want to be here are here and those that didn't want to be aren't. I'm ok with that.
InGoodCo
Well-Known Member
Iowa would have loved to retain Pryce or Josh and made a run to keep them here. Those 2 likely think that Iowa basketball's environment is toxic, with bad fans and their time at Iowa wasn't probably a great one. I get why they'd want to move on. As a fan, I am ok with them moving on as well though, because while here, they did nothing of note that leads me to believe either were some sort of program changing player that Iowa couldn't live without. Both nice players Iowa would have loved to keep if they wanted to be here, but IMO, if they don't, best they just move on as we have a new culture and coach being installed because the old one wasn't getting it done. I think it's funny how people wanted Fran out, but then also want to retain Fran's players. Scrap the whole thing. Start new. Don't retain any of the regime w/ the exception of a legacy guy who hardly played. I am A OK with that, as Iowa needs a fresh start.
I know this is hard to fathom or understand for Iowa fans, but Matt Gatens isn't well thought of in the coaching world. I mean, he's not considered bad either, but just a coach. He's not considered a rising star with upside who is a relentless recruiter, he's not considered a guy who's on a fast track to be a HC. He's just a guy who played at Iowa. IMO, I want more for Iowa, so if there are better options for assistants, I am glad that Ben is bringing them in.
I know this is hard to fathom or understand for Iowa fans, but Matt Gatens isn't well thought of in the coaching world. I mean, he's not considered bad either, but just a coach. He's not considered a rising star with upside who is a relentless recruiter, he's not considered a guy who's on a fast track to be a HC. He's just a guy who played at Iowa. IMO, I want more for Iowa, so if there are better options for assistants, I am glad that Ben is bringing them in.
In hoops that's such a huge thing. Basketball teams are small 12-15 dudes with coaches. They spend so much time together between meals, traveling and practices etc etc it's unreal. Basketball coaches are just way more hands on day to day. It's always nice to see that there's players that prioritize that. It goes a long ways.
It's different for football where some dudes on the team might have but just a handful of short one on one meetings with the HC during their 4-5 yrs together. (for those that stick around that long) The Qbs probably have more time then most of the other guys with the HC but even still if it's a defensive minded HC then it's usually the OC that spends by far the most time with em anyway.
I totally agree with the first paragraph of what you wrote every word of it. The 2nd one I guess this is the first I'm hearing of Matt Gatens and how he's looked at. I guess I'd want to reserve judgement of that sort of take till we see where he ends up at. I totally get why Ben wouldn't keep him on. I myself would've kept him on but I'm on the outside and don't know Matt from Adam and Eve besides what little I've seen him talk publicly. Being an Iowa guy who's been recruiting the state for yrs now I only saw upside to keeping him on. But I acknowledge there's a lot I don't know too.
