More seriously, and substantively, it was time. Vint may be correct that the Fran era effectively ended with the loss to Richmond, but I think the subsequent slide back and declining results the next 3 seasons are what really sealed his fate. And once Owen Freeman went out, the writing was on the wall. I think everyone knew it, including Fran. The last 1/3 of the season seemed to be an exercise in playing out the hand, but the outcome was decided.
I think it will be interesting to watch and see how Fran's legacy develops over the next 10-15 years. Fran has the all-time wins record, but that record also seems to be one that he "earned" through longevity rather than being an all-timer. Will the next guy(s) be underwhelming and thus make us look back on his tenure with a lot of nostalgia sanding down all the sharp edges like what happened with Dr. Tom? Or will he be kind of overlooked because his successors took us to places he never did? Fran undoubtedly left the program much better than he found it, and for that at least we can all be eternally thankful
Captured my thoughts to a T. I've always been higher on McCaffery than most. Based on the attendance at games, it was clear I was well above the 80th percentile.
In addition to the Richmond loss, COVID itself also laid its own hammer on McCaffery's head. That 2021 Garza team would have nearly packed Carver and possibly sparked a rejuvenation. We got cardboard cutouts instead, and Caitlin Fever redirected any smoldering embers.
Snakebit describes it well. The stars just never quite aligned for Fran. Vaya con Dios indeed.
Fran had 15 years which is a lot in today’s game. Up-tempo offense and defense optional. I totally agree that Richmond loss was the beginning of the end. I remember watching that game in an Omaha bar and leaving thinking that Fran would NEVER take us on a deep March run. Beth had to make a business decision and I applaud her. You can’t have a half empty arena during the conference season and not make a change. Thanks Fran but the time has come.
Fran out after 15 years. Yet another Sweet 16 missed
You gotta credit me 😂
I stole the line from Jarrod
More seriously, and substantively, it was time. Vint may be correct that the Fran era effectively ended with the loss to Richmond, but I think the subsequent slide back and declining results the next 3 seasons are what really sealed his fate. And once Owen Freeman went out, the writing was on the wall. I think everyone knew it, including Fran. The last 1/3 of the season seemed to be an exercise in playing out the hand, but the outcome was decided.
I think it will be interesting to watch and see how Fran's legacy develops over the next 10-15 years. Fran has the all-time wins record, but that record also seems to be one that he "earned" through longevity rather than being an all-timer. Will the next guy(s) be underwhelming and thus make us look back on his tenure with a lot of nostalgia sanding down all the sharp edges like what happened with Dr. Tom? Or will he be kind of overlooked because his successors took us to places he never did? Fran undoubtedly left the program much better than he found it, and for that at least we can all be eternally thankful
2011 at Northern Iowa is the tantrum I’ll remember most
Didn’t the campus cops walk him off the court, and they never played in CF again?
Nothing to add. Well said. Great comments by you all as well! Now, let's get the right guy!
By the way, let's not forget the magic of that staredown leading to the wildest KenPom probability chart ever.
https://kenpom.com/winprob.php?g=5206&y=2023
Numbers smashed so tight KenPom ran out of pixels.
TWENTY-FIVE points in TWO minutes!!!!
Captured my thoughts to a T. I've always been higher on McCaffery than most. Based on the attendance at games, it was clear I was well above the 80th percentile.
In addition to the Richmond loss, COVID itself also laid its own hammer on McCaffery's head. That 2021 Garza team would have nearly packed Carver and possibly sparked a rejuvenation. We got cardboard cutouts instead, and Caitlin Fever redirected any smoldering embers.
Snakebit describes it well. The stars just never quite aligned for Fran. Vaya con Dios indeed.
Fran had 15 years which is a lot in today’s game. Up-tempo offense and defense optional. I totally agree that Richmond loss was the beginning of the end. I remember watching that game in an Omaha bar and leaving thinking that Fran would NEVER take us on a deep March run. Beth had to make a business decision and I applaud her. You can’t have a half empty arena during the conference season and not make a change. Thanks Fran but the time has come.