Retaining Fran

[WindsorHawk]

People are going to be negative and complain when things are going poorly (far too much sometimes though, yes) and they are entitled to take a different viewpoint when things turn around and the team wins 5 straight conference games. That's the name of the game.

Who among us doesn't view this season differently today as they did after the UNI game, or even after losing to Minny & NW back to back? Let's not act like this season hasn't taken a dramatic turn for the better these past few weeks, just like last year, when the team fell apart. A run of 5-8 games or so can define your season, as we've seen these past two years.

As for Fran's contract - I'd be fine with a nice bump in annual salary and perhaps an extension of a year or two. Fran seems like an excellent coach and is getting it done, but let's just not go overboard and extend him to 2027 or something nuts (that means you, Gary Barta). As others have pointed out, that's what got us in trouble with the KF deal. Keep Fran happy, but don't give him such a great contract that he turns into a fat cat.

Some people are going to be negative...

And this post is not directed at you but rather a general statement.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

Some people are going to be negative...

And this post is not directed at you but rather a general statement.

Oh I agree, there's no pleasing some people.

I guess if this season teaches us anything as fans, it's that it's best to let things play out and then judge when the dust settles. It's a long season, and it can be a roller coaster ride.

 

[Thawki]

It's just the reality and irony of the situation. Several times through out the year, this board was on a witch hunt to run Fran out and find the next best thing. Same with Aaron White.... he's been bashed on here throughout his career for not having a jumper and not being really "that good". Most posters could find more holes in his game then strengths.....now the general consensus of the board is if he doesn't make 1st team All B1G, it will be some tragedy. All off season, the board replaced Mike with Trey Dickerson, before he even played a minute of basketball in Iowa City. Such is the world of HawkeyeNation hoops message board... i just like to sit back and watch and throw out snarky posts when I get the chance.

Ha! So do I (like to sit back and make snarky replies to people, when they deserve it). Since you pretty much talked about the stupid things people were saying, I will just add one thing. Anyone that got annoyed by the original post on this thread may be annoyed because they thought they were being called out for knee-jerk reactions

 

[HaydenHawk56]

I think the heat was deserved (especially after Minny and Northwestern) just as much as the praise is deserved for the winning streak. Those are games that you just can't lose if you are looking to make the next step. I'm sure Fran would agree with that and wishes he could have them back. Fortunately, the team was able to re-focus and get much better mentally and physically and were not derailed completely from meaningful post-season positioning.


However, the Minny and Northwestern losses do not look as bad now when considering how they have been playing since beating Iowa. I would have to agree....you ultimately have to look at the body of work. Thus, far, Fran has improved each year and will continue to do so this year (with being a lock for the NCAAs and no play-in round). The story continues to be written, but he has earned his keep for another couple of years at the least.

It is just good to see the program winning and having fun right now. Fran has certainly played a big role in that. He is progressively doing just enough each year to retain his job. I would say progression in the grand scheme of things is certainly better than major regression or stagnation and that is a breath of fresh air around these parts. They just have to keep getting better and things will keep moving in the right direction.