Fran vs Media

[CYdTracked]

I'll have to listen to this later today to get more perspective. I don't get why the media was so scared of Fran like that. I mean if they were going to be that petty not to attend because of who was the MC then hold them to it and let it look bad on them. It's not like he is going to be remembered as one of Iowa's best MBB coaches, most will remember him for his temper tantrums and inability to take a team to the Sweet 16 - especially after the guy that just replaced him brought in a new roster and went to the Elite 8 in year 1. We wouldn't have to worry about TJ doing something like that but let's say he was the one that had the issue with Keith. I'd be far more concerned about losing access to his program than Fran's that was stuck in mediocrity over his tenure so if anything, Fran probably could care less about getting less media attention when they were constantly underperforming.

I know Murph is a nice guy and probably thought taking the high road probably would be the way not to get caught up in unnecessary drama. But this is Fran who it's well known is an a-hole and lacks class so I would have just said if you choose not to attend then you can answer to that as that's your choice not mine. It would look pretty bad if the 3 other coaches attended and he did not and he and the other local media would have every right to seek comment from him and make him have to either say why or give the silent treatment which leads to negative speculation. The situation with the secret contract extension had more to do with how bad of an AD Gary Barta was more than it being Fran the one trying to hide it. I guess as an outsider I view it as if Fran couldn't put his ego aside 1 night for a charity event because he didn't like who the MC was then that's just more proof of what a crappy human being he is and if I were Keith I'd just keep doing what they asked which was be the MC and let Fran be the one to answer if he chose not to attend over something as stupid as that.

 

[RoseClone]

There's very little upside for them by doing that, and a lot of downside in the form of denied access and fans being irritated at them

Then they aren't doing their job

 

[Jeff_92]

I'll have to listen to this later today to get more perspective. I don't get why the media was so scared of Fran like that. I mean if they were going to be that petty not to attend because of who was the MC then hold them to it and let it look bad on them. It's not like he is going to be remembered as one of Iowa's best MBB coaches, most will remember him for his temper tantrums and inability to take a team to the Sweet 16 - especially after the guy that just replaced him brought in a new roster and went to the Elite 8 in year 1. We wouldn't have to worry about TJ doing something like that but let's say he was the one that had the issue with Keith. I'd be far more concerned about losing access to his program than Fran's that was stuck in mediocrity over his tenure so if anything, Fran probably could care less about getting less media attention when they were constantly underperforming.

I know Murph is a nice guy and probably thought taking the high road probably would be the way not to get caught up in unnecessary drama. But this is Fran who it's well known is an a-hole and lacks class so I would have just said if you choose not to attend then you can answer to that as that's your choice not mine. It would look pretty bad if the 3 other coaches attended and he did not and he and the other local media would have every right to seek comment from him and make him have to either say why or give the silent treatment which leads to negative speculation. The situation with the secret contract extension had more to do with how bad of an AD Gary Barta was more than it being Fran the one trying to hide it. I guess as an outsider I view it as if Fran couldn't put his ego aside 1 night for a charity event because he didn't like who the MC was then that's just more proof of what a crappy human being he is and if I were Keith I'd just keep doing what they asked which was be the MC and let Fran be the one to answer if he chose not to attend over something as stupid as that.

Keith said it wasn't MCs vs Cancer so he didn't want to cause issues with the charity event. Him taking the high road as expected.

 

[FerShizzle]

i miss fran

 

[JP4CY]

 

[jcisuclones]

Seems like there are a lot of parallels with this situation and how the Iowa beat writers are basically just an extension of the fans and athletic department. Nobody is allowed to be critical or objective or they get shunned and lose access. Look at guys like Eickholt, Leistikow and Kakert. All just fans with a press pass who will stop at nothing to defend the athletic department.

 

[michaelrr1]

If this had happened at Iowa State, it would’ve been a major talking point immediately, not something the media waited more than a year to bring up after the person was gone.

This is not a new story. They've discussed it multiple times in the past, and really went into detail last year shortly after the coaching change.

 

[JP4CY]

The worst part of this story is how "bipartisan" cancer and cancer fundraising should be.
I couldn't imagine being a McCaffery and having a child go thru what Patrick did cancer wise. Like those relationships and experiences should bring people together for the common good.
This story and Fran and Marg are shockingly worse humans beings than we could ever imagine.

 

[CYdTracked]

Keith said it wasn't MCs vs Cancer so he didn't want to cause issues with the charity event. Him taking the high road as expected.

I get that angle but it's also letting the bully win too which leads to more issues down the road when you enable someone like that. If the organizers didn't want Keith to MC because of it is one thing but if Keith willingly stepped down from being MC because Fran was forcing his hand and not the organizers I would have just told Fran he can make his choice in the matter and deal with any bad PR that comes from it. If you deny me access to your program too then so be it that will be your PR battle as well. It's not like Fran has a huge public backing that fans and the media would take his side in the matter over Keith.

 

[cycloner29]

So did Marge shout to Keith, “You cheating Motherf$cker!”?

 

[Gonzo]

i miss fran

Iowa paid him very well for a whole lot longer than most P4 programs would've given him based on his results. It's pretty laughable that they think Iowa somehow wronged him. Thank you Beth Goetz.

 

[nhclone]

To answer your question on losing access, that's 100% true in most things.

Rumor has it that's why Bruns quit doing sideline reporting. Critical of the OL one season and the staff didn't like it.

 

[Paz23]

There's very little upside for them by doing that, and a lot of downside in the form of denied access and fans being irritated at them

Disagree. WHO has the bully pulpit and as long as they stick to the facts and avoid coming off as a passive-aggressive d-bag, Iowa and Fran would have had a major problem. Retaliating by restricting access would have made it worse. If Fran were winning B10 championships and making deep tournament runs...oh...wait...nevermind.

CvC should have simply said Keith Murphy is the event MC.

Iowa AD should have told Fran that Keith Murphy is the event MC and you (McCaffrey) will attend with a smile on your face. I haven't looked, but I assume Barta was running things when this went down, so he probably asked Kirk what to do.

WHO should have told Iowa that their sportscast would have X number of minutes covering Iowa athletics. If they denied or restricted access to content, they would find their own content to broadcast during that X number of minutes.

 

[IASTATE07]

The McCafferys showed what kind of kids they were raising when Connor and Patrick went to Twitter after Connor didn't win Mr. Basketball.

 

[FerShizzle]

Iowa paid him very well for a whole lot longer than most P4 programs would've given him based on his results. It's pretty laughable that they think Iowa somehow wronged him. Thank you Beth Goetz.

Idk… he flashed just enough to keep his job for a long while. He owes a lot to the Murray twins and Garza’s dad.

Also, I think coach BM will routinely be finishing in the 7,8,9 range in that conference. There are just too many quality programs in that league for a program like the hawks to jump much further than mid.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

Imagine being an asshat at a cancer benefit that raises a million dollars a year when your kid is a survivor because your little feelings got hurt.

 

[Gonzo]

Idk… he flashed just enough to keep his job for a long while. He owes a lot to the Murray twins and Garza’s dad.

Also, I think coach BM will routinely be finishing in the 7,8,9 range in that conference. There are just too many quality programs in that league for a program like the hawks to jump much further than mid.

Yep, he had NBA lottery picks and NPOYs and still didn't make a single Sweet Sixteen in 15 years.

 

[Clark]

Idk… he flashed just enough to keep his job for a long while. He owes a lot to the Murray twins and Garza’s dad.

Also, I think coach BM will routinely be finishing in the 7,8,9 range in that conference. There are just too many quality programs in that league for a program like the hawks to jump much further than mid.

that finish is fine with me as long as occasionally they're playing on the second weekend of the ncaa tournament.

 

[cyclone82]

It’s the asshat fanbase that doesn’t get it. And,…. The GD media, who are really just fanboys turned wanna be journalists that keep em going with unrealistic accounts of how important they think that scum sucking university’s athletic programs really are !

 

[Cymark86]

Not sure how many listened to Murph and Andy, but they were recapping Coaches vs Cancer event and Andy spilled all the beans about Mad Fran and his wife being exactly what we thought they were. Definitely worth a listen.
Seeing some media come out and affirm he was a pain. Murphy of course was all class.


It got me thinking....is the old "can't be critical of will lose access" really true? Meaning, why didn't the media share this stuff as it happened. And if Fran/Iowa pull credentials, report on that and that becomes the story. And then I went down a further thought process of.....as public institutions shouldn't media access be open vs restricted? I get may not get exclusive 1:1 interviews, but you'd think press conferences or other media access.

I’m dating myself, but back in the early 80’s what is now KGAN had a clever new sports guy. Kind of funny. Maybe a bit like Murphy. Anyway, back then sports guys would give commentary/opinion pieces once a month or so at the end of their sportscast.

Apparently being new, he wasn’t aware and was critical of Hayden. Maybe running up the score on someone. Subsequent to say, I believe they cold shouldered him and he was out shortly after taking the gig. That was right when Iowa had the power and Hayden was afraid to flex it.