What do you suppose Fran makes of all the football stuff going on?

[HaydenHawk56]

I suppose he seems like the type that would be focused on what he needs to do with his team. But, I got to think these distractions going on helps maybe keep the focus away during the rebuilding process. Almost a flip of things in how the basketball program is being viewed (and the football team) from where it was after the 2 blow out losses to end the Lickliter era.

Or, maybe it is unfortunate that so much time is being focused on the off the field problems going on with the football players, and not enough time spent crediting the improvements made with the basketball team. The UNI game should have been the top story that night had not the DJK thing all went down.

Things sure do seem to run in cycles.



And, I gave Fran an A so far during this rebuilding process.

 

[mbchawk]

I agree, so far Fran and his staff are doing a great job. I just hope they can get a good break or 2 in recruiting to really get things rolling for the program.

 

[tweeterhawk]

Really doubt what's happening across the athletic complex is affecting Fran or bball.

 

[tm3308]

Really doubt what's happening across the athletic complex is affecting Fran or bball.

Not directly, no. But the football issues have taken away a lot of attention for the basketball team, which might affect Fran a little (not necessarily affect how he does things, just kind of a change in atmosphere).

 

[clicheusername3]

My question would be why weren't any of the other coaches present? To me this PC was presented in a way that encompassed the entire AD.

 

[IAJay]

My question would be why weren't any of the other coaches present? To me this PC was presented in a way that encompassed the entire AD.

I kind of agree with this because it seems to be an Athletics issue and not just a football thing. But I think this can help some fans who will be turned off by the football situation move on to the basketball team who is improving nicely. Iowa fans seem to value hard work over "Hollywood" and this team seems to have a blue collar edge that can be embraced by fans.

 

[hawkdoctor]

I think it might give him an example of how to deal with this kind of issue in Iowa. Fran's been around but you always need to pay attention to handling issues with the fans and the public. Always new lessons to learn.

 

[CHShawk]

My question would be why weren't any of the other coaches present? To me this PC was presented in a way that encompassed the entire AD.

This is a valid question. One would have to think that since all of the rumors and questions were focused on the football program though that the press conference was mainly called to stop the rumors flying around and settle things down from a PR perspective. I'm not sure it would have mattered much if Brands, Bluder, Fran, etc. were there just because all of the rumors flying around seemed to be directed towards the FB program due to the DJK situation. They did have quite a few, if not all, of the associate ADs and other athletic department big wigs there.