I’ve officially had enough.
This has been bubbling for quite some time. Years, really. There were some fantastic seasons. Some fantastic runs. Some fantastic players. A National Player of the Year (should have been 2x, but neither here nor there).
And let me go back to the fantastic runs comment. I mean in the regular season and in the Big 10 tournament. Notice anything there? No mention of the tournament that actually fucking matters. Of course not. Iowa hasn’t reached the 2nd weekend of the NCAA tournament in Fran’s tenure. I guess I should just say Sweet 16. They haven’t reached the GOD DAMN SWEET 16 SINCE I WAS 2 YEARS OLD!
The winningest coach in program history? The guy who brought the team back from the literal dead after Todd Lickliter? Yes. And Iowa alumni and fans should be grateful for that.
Sidenote: Just had to verify the Lickliter comment. 38-58 in 3 seasons. How the hell is that even possible? My lord.
And it is quite comedic to think about the problems. Almost exactly opposite to the football program, the basketball program was all offense and no defense. And I wish I was joking when I say no defense. Open gym at Pioneer Park in 2011 had guys who better knew what they were doing than some of these players.
I’d also imagine new(ish) AD Beth Goetz is just salivating at these results, too. She wants to make a big hire so badly. She was able to get rid of Offensive Coordinator Brian Ferentz (yes, Kirk’s son. Nepotism? How dare you!), but she wants to make a true splash.
Back to Fran, though, for a moment. His oldest son, Connor, is an assistant for the Pacers. He’s also dating Caitlin Clark, member of the Indiana Fever. His middle son, Patrick, transferred to Butler at the end of last season. And his youngest son, Jonathan, is also committed to Butler, which is in ….. Indianapolis. I’d honestly be shocked if Mrs. McCaffery hasn’t already moved! Do they even have the house still? Is Fran staying in The Graduate next to the Ped Mall?
Beth, babe – I’m in your corner. If he doesn’t retire on his own at the conclusion of this season, pull the plug and start pumping some fresh blood into this program again.
Fran McCaffery …………
Cheers.
King YABO