Senior Jarryd Cole touts Iowa's future under Fran McCaffery

IOWA CITY - Iowa senior Jarryd Cole said Coach Fran McCaffery has built better personal relationships with his players than McCaffery's predecessor, Todd Lickliter.

“In the past there's been assistant coaches who have been very hands on with us, not with the head coach aspect,” Cole said. “But McCaffery is very hands on.

“He understands us. He knows his players. He's definitely a players' coach. Back in his past he was a great player. He knows how to get things done. He's an entertainer. He respects that aspect of the basketball game so guys who have that kind of ability are flowers in Coach McCaffery's eyes.”

Cole, a 6-foot-7 post player, said the change in offensive systems has endeared his teammates to McCaffery.

“Guys that are here actually want to do the system that McCaffery has in plan,” Cole said. “That hasn't been the case in the past. Lickliter wanted to play the slow-it-down, walk-up-the-court, run a half-court offense, pick-and-roll, do that kind of thing. As a basketball player, you want to get up and down and run and press and do things like that. It's exciting and it gets fans involved. McCaffery has that down to a tee. Anybody who wants to come and play for him will have a good time.”

Although Cole's Iowa career is nearly complete, he sees a bright future for Hawkeye basketball.

“You see this new era that's about to start,” Cole said. “McCaffery has some decent guys coming in. He has these guys (pointing to other players) who are staying. You guys see the upside that they have and everybody else does, too.”