McCaffery makes first appearance at Linn County I-Club

Fran McCaffery made his first visit to Cedar Rapids for a University of Iowa function, and the Hawkeyes' new head men's basketball coach was well received.

McCaffery appeared to command their attention while he joined women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder and associate head wrestling coach Terry Brands spoke to the Linn County I-Club Tuesday at the Cedar Rapids Country Club.

It was a positive experience. The crowd appeared to hang on each word as he described how the team was buying into the staff's new system.

“It's a great turnout,” McCaffery said. “They're phenomenally loyal fans.”

Getting fans to return to Carver-Hawkeye Arena seemed to be the theme. Both McCaffery and Bluder presented pleas for fans to increase support for men's and women's basketball games. Attendance for men's basketball games has dropped significantly in recent years. Last year the average paid attendance for men's basketball games was 9,550 fans, an all-time low, dipping below the previous worst average of 10,861 in 2008.

“We need a lot of Hawkeye fans from Linn County to come down and support us and they turned out in force today,” McCaffery said. “It's absolutely crucial that I connect with the folks in this area and they connect with our program.”

Former Hawkeye basketball player Kenyon Murray served as host and emcee of the event. He accompanied McCaffery to an I-Club banquet in Council Bluffs and said McCaffery hit the circuit hard in spring and summer after being named to the post in March 28.

Murray said it's key for McCaffery to share his philosophies and opinions of the present and future of the program.

“It's huge. The people of Iowa want to see their coaches,” Murray said. “Coming up to Cedar Rapids, it's one of the best I-Clubs around so he knows how important it is and he's going to take advantage of the opportunity to speak to the fans.”

McCaffery discussed his program almost in the shadow of Cedar Rapids Washington High School, where Warriors standout Josh Oglesby orally committed to play for McCaffery next year. It was a big first step of keeping home-grown talent within the borders, and a primary focus for the staff. Of course, the coaches were visiting an area with two highly-touted recruits in Linn-Mar's Marcus Paige and Kiah Stokes.

“It's going to be one of my challenges to keep the talent in-state,” McCaffery said. “I've been impressed with the quality of players. Our AAU and high school programs have some phenomenal talent.”

Murray said landing Oglesby, who urged other Iowa preps to join him, was a big accomplishment. He has seen a trend of players leaving the state and recalled a time where the state's top players didn't consider it, mentioning the likes of  Jess Settles, Ryan Bowen and Dean Oliver.

“I remember when all the best players were coming to Iowa. There was no other place they thought about going,” Murray said. “I think it's huge because it opens a pipeline to a group of kids we might not have had access to.”

McCaffery is just a little more than six months into his tenure. It's likely that in-state players are just now getting a feel for him, his staff and the direction of the program.

“In some respects, they still want to see me coach and see our team,” McCaffery said. “Recruiting is all about relationships and getting to know somebody.

“Feel like there can be a trust level there that can only be accomplished over time.”

Brands, filling in for Hawkeye head coach and twin brother, Tom, shared is excitement that fans have grown accustomed. Brands discussed how the team is working hard and the No. 11 ranking in one preseason poll is motivating a team that is attempting to win a fourth straight Big Ten and NCAA team title.

The team is young and inexperienced after graduating seven senior starters from last year, including national champions Brent Metcalf and Jay Borschel.

“We just had a senior class that just graduated that was young at one time. Matt McDonough was young last year as a freshman,” Brands said during his speech. “We're about winning champions and doing it the right way.”

Brands said McDonough, who won the 125-pound NCAA title as a red-shirt freshman in March and a former three-time state champion at Linn-Mar, seems to be controlling his weight well to wrestle 125 again. He also mentioned returning lettermen Aaron Janssen and Jake Kerr will wrestle 165 and 174 , even though their spot in the lineup is uncertain.