Iowa fans reason #1 for liking Fran as coach would be that he gives Iowa kids a shot to play at a high-Division 1 level. For every CJ Frederick or Luka Garza, Fran has a dozen Bohannon, Wieskamp, Gesell, Woodbury, Baer, Kriener etc. What few of these fans would admit, however, is that Fran has enjoyed his modest success in spite of them rather than because of them. He doesn't recruit over guys, because he either won't or can't. I think Iowa fans are ok with 20 win seasons and 1st round NCAA exits because they get to watch their home grown hawks try to scratch and claw out gritty wins.
The way things are trending, Fran will have to start having his roster completely made up of guys in the latter category. Time will tell how effective or ineffective it will be.