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These past 48 hours or so have been kind of exhausting. We’ve had crap about Gary Dolphin. Crap about Fran McCaffery. Behind all that crap is crap about Gary Barta.
A quick stroll through our comments and on Twitter, you’d think the window is wide open for Fran to exit Iowa City as quickly as Iowa’s post-season run ends. You’d think people want Iowa to go winless the rest of the season the way people are reacting.
In short, support for Fran seems to be waning.
In writing this, I was reminded of my time as a reporter at the Daily Iowan, when I had the chance to fly out to Dayton and cover Iowa’s loss to Tennessee in the First Four in 2014. Fran’s comments stuck out to me then, and they stick out to me now.
But I likely can’t change your opinion of Fran. And really, I don’t seek to. You’ve probably already made up your mind on Fran McCaffery. He’s been our coach for nine years now, after all. So, what can I say that might make you support this team, and its coach, for the rest of the year—and—(hopefully) beyond?
Surprisingly, I found the answer on Twitter, of all places:
Iowa leading scorer Tyler Cook on Fran McCaffery: “He always has our back. He does that to protect us and fight for us. As a player, you always appreciate that. Whatever he does, I’m 100% with him. And the other guys are, as well.”
— Chad Leistikow (@ChadLeistikow) February 27, 2019
The internet can say what it wants. I love Fran!! He accepted responsibility for his actions. Let’s move on! #HawkeyeForLife!!!!
— Aaron White (@Aaron_White30) February 27, 2019
Hearing about this incident with Coach Mccaffery I’ve been there and seen this before. This shows that he’ll do whatever it takes to stick up for his players and the program. He’s a high character coach that’s done so much for his guys. I know still to this day he’ll ride for me
— anthony clemmons (@sapp_5) February 27, 2019
And if I get bashed for sticking up for him that’s fine. But I’ve been behind closed doors and I know where his heart is when these things happen. Knowing I know he’ll continue to stick up for his players and the guys that played for him.
— anthony clemmons (@sapp_5) February 27, 2019
One thing I’ve always loved about Coach McCaffery is he always had the players back no matter what and did whatever it took to protect us! I’d go to war with Coach any day and time!
— Peter Jok (@Jok_City14) February 27, 2019
Fans always on Fran back. But he stay getting quality wins. Feel like they forget where we were before he came
— Devyn Marble (@DevMarble) February 2, 2019
We came from nothing literally ! Not even enough to practice 5 on 5 https://t.co/jGQXjJRoKd
— Melsahn Basabe (@projectslimehd) February 2, 2019
Not telling a lie at all....the summer I came in and my grandmother passed he and Margaret were there for me whenever I needed them https://t.co/bIY2VMtcDr
— Trey Dickerson (@NLS_TD) February 27, 2019
Coach Mac is the best coach that I ever had. He always has his players backs. He understands how important that is in a players development on and off the court. #SienaSaints #Hawkeyes
— Josh Duell (@JDuell12) February 27, 2019
So that’s my excuse. What’s yours?