It’s not fair to Ben McCollum for people to think or say he accomplished more in one year than Fran in 15 years. It literally only took McCollum one weekend in March to do that, not a year! 
Connor and Fran
- Thread starter BringBackBradBanks
- Start date
Fran had plenty of time to do what he could do. It was time to move on. Reality can suck.
To think there were cmac fans when he was here. Sucked during his career, insufferable after it
It’s actually hilarious that Dave Portnoy called him out on it!
Hopefully Ben's success will keep Fran and family from saying anything negative about Iowa in the future. They can move on and we can move on.
Over-rated, same as his brothers, then attached himself like a barnacle to Caitlin Clark.
That's insane to think he's calling people to scold them for saying something positive about Ben.
I mean it’s one thing to thing or feel that way right? But to actually call Barstool personalities and complain because your alma mater is really good, is a just flat out embarrassing. Love that Dave called him out!
Yes indeed. Think it became obvious at the end what Fran’s ceiling was which Ben has already surpassed. Fran had that 3-4 year window where he had a combination ofGarza, weiskamp and Murray and couldn’t get it done. Sucks Covid ended one season and who knows how things would’ve played differently for Garza sr year if it wasn’t a thing.
In the end most of us, myself included, have no ill will towards Fran. Pulled us out of the depressing Lick era. Connor on the other hand acting like a petulant child different story.
63 to 0 against Oregon is still the craziest Iowa sports stat ever!
Worst was after game Fran trying to justify it by saying how banged up and hurt Connor and Fredrick were. If that was the case why were both starting.
Couldn’t have said it better. Just let it go CMac!!!
I'm over Fran and moved on the second he was fired. I have no ill will towards him. But my hot take is he gets WAYYYYYYY too much credit for pulling us out of the Lick era.
People act like we were winless for 20 years. We had an awful coach for 3 years. Took him 5 years to win a tourney game and he was an azz. From what's said on here his wife was a peach too.
People act like we were winless for 20 years. We had an awful coach for 3 years. Took him 5 years to win a tourney game and he was an azz. From what's said on here his wife was a peach too.
Yeah he's been a generational clown since he graduated. Thank god his scrappiness came along with 4 points a game.
But those entry passes!!!
Because they started every game up to that point and were 21-6 (.773) with that starting lineup?
The only other starting lineup that season was when Fredrick was ruled out and Keegan replaced him: Garza, Keegan, Connor, JBo, Wieskamp. That lineup was 1-3 (.250).
Against Oregon, Connor played 12:15 minutes which was 9th most minutes and Fredrick played 12:43 minutes which was the 7th most minutes. Both were BPM -9 which was the 5th worst.
His shooting form made my eyes bleed.
Embarrassing form for being a coach’s son. Even Caitlin couldn’t help him fix it.
Fran may have been bitter about being let go, but I don't think he has any ill-will towards Ben or the current staff. It's always the administration, when it comes to coaching departures.
Some coaches are more petty than others, but I highly doubt we hear from Fran again regarding anything to do with Iowa outside of complimenting Coach McCollum.
It's his entitled children that are the problem. They're part of this younger generation that has been gifted more opportunities to let their voice be heard than ever before, and it has built this false sense of confidence in these younger kids and adults to voice their opinions without thinking through the consequences of their actions. And worse yet, because of that sense of entitlement, they care less and less about the consequences of their actions........
Some coaches are more petty than others, but I highly doubt we hear from Fran again regarding anything to do with Iowa outside of complimenting Coach McCollum.
It's his entitled children that are the problem. They're part of this younger generation that has been gifted more opportunities to let their voice be heard than ever before, and it has built this false sense of confidence in these younger kids and adults to voice their opinions without thinking through the consequences of their actions. And worse yet, because of that sense of entitlement, they care less and less about the consequences of their actions........
100% As far as I can tell Fran has handled this with class and like most Iowa fans, I wish him no ill will and was happy for his team’s success at Penn this year. It’s his kids, and I’d say indirectly his wife’s influence on them growing up to a certain extent, with the entitlement issues.
I liked Fran. He made iowa respectable again. I'm excited for the future with Ben.
Winning 4 NCAA games in 15 years hardly screams respect.
I still like Fran, and Patrick has posted stuff to assume he’s being mature about the whole situation. Connor is being a brat about this though.
Patrick has taken the high road. Connor not so much! I met Fran at a golf tournament one time. I will say he’s not a real nice person! That doesn’t work in the NIL world.
just so people won’t lump Patrick in with his brother
Ben McCollum had 3 NCAA Tournament wins at IOWA in 7 days (Friday, March 20, 2026 through Thursday, March 26, 2026). This is year 1 for Ben at IOWA, of course.
Fran McCaffery had 4 NCAA Tournament wins at IOWA in 15 years.
Ben’s 3 NCAA Tournament wins at IOWA in 7 days:
www.espn.com
www.espn.com
www.espn.com
Fran McCaffery had 4 NCAA Tournament wins at IOWA in 15 years.
Ben’s 3 NCAA Tournament wins at IOWA in 7 days:
Iowa 67-61 Clemson (Mar 20, 2026) Box Score - ESPN
Box score for the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Clemson Tigers NCAAM game from March 20, 2026 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.
www.espn.com
Iowa 73-72 Florida (Mar 22, 2026) Box Score - ESPN
Box score for the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Florida Gators NCAAM game from March 22, 2026 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.
www.espn.com
Iowa 77-71 Nebraska (Mar 26, 2026) Box Score - ESPN
Box score for the Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers NCAAM game from March 26, 2026 on ESPN. Includes all points, rebounds and steals stats.
www.espn.com
Last edited:
He’s never been the problem! Glad he addressed it! He should talk to Connor!
She would legit wander down during breaks and rip into officials. It was weird.
Can someome actually post what Connor has said? I keep seeing posts shitting on him but haven't actually seen any primary evidence.
Keep slamming the all time leader in wins in Iowa history.
Keep the insults coming.
Keep coming with what you think are these great, clever, oh my god digs.
Keep forgetting that Fran actually won more games than anyone we had before.
Anything to make yourself feel important.
If you think what you do about Fran...damn what do you think about Iowa?
Keep the insults coming.
Keep coming with what you think are these great, clever, oh my god digs.
Keep forgetting that Fran actually won more games than anyone we had before.
Anything to make yourself feel important.
If you think what you do about Fran...damn what do you think about Iowa?
The loss to Richmond showed me that Fran wasn’t the guy. That team had Elite Eight or at LEAST Sweet Sixteen written all over it.
We all understand the NCAA results sucked.
You are in the same breath praising Fran...even if you do not realize it it. Who the F do you think put together that team?
In my opinion, I don't even think Patrick wanted to play basketball... it was expected from him and that's not fair. I hope he is doing well and enjoying life.
Fran put those teams together you dolt. We never had any guards in 15 years. Let that sink in. HE COULD NOT RECRUIT GUARDS. So he played his son and Bohannon. And we got outscored 63 to 0 by Oregon and lose to a terrible Richmond team. Legacy cemented.