McCaffery doubles down on comments, says “I am who I am”

IOWA CITY - One never has to guess where Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery stands on any issue, let alone if it involves one of his players.

In the news conference seen ‘round the country on Sunday, McCaffery told a reporter to 'ask an intelligent question” after he asked how Iowa center Adam Woodbury has poked three players in the eye in a three-week period. When another media member asked why it wasn't an intelligent question, McCaffery replied, 'because I said so.”

Wednesday, McCaffery was given a chance to explain his comments. Instead of backing off, McCaffery doubled down. He insisted the questions Sunday were officiating-based, which prompted the terse response. McCaffery also took exception to the national narrative that has framed him as a bully and Woodbury as a dirty player.

If it makes any difference, McCaffery would rather have the arrows pointed toward himself than his player.

'I'd much rather people be upset with me. I get paid,” McCaffery said. 'For the most part, I don't care what people think or what they say. I am who I am. You guys know me well. It's interesting that people could be upset about somebody that they don't know or have opinions about people they don't know.

'I won't give an opinion about somebody I don't know. But others get paid to run their mouth, and I guess that's what they have to do. But trust me, I didn't lose one wink of sleep about anything.”

McCaffery was asked again about Woodbury's eye-poking incidents.

'There wasn't a call anytime all right?” McCaffery said. 'So I'm through. I'm done. Move on. I can't believe you'd even ask me that question (Wednesday). I mean, this is ancient history now. Let's move on. You want to talk about (Thursday's) game, fine. I don't want to talk about what happened three weeks ago.”

Iowa's players said they appreciate McCaffery's willingness to fight for them, whether it's on the court or in front of the media.

'Coach McCaffery, we know he always has our back,” Iowa guard Mike Gesell said. 'It's awesome to have a coach like that. When you're going to battle every night and you have someone that's always going to be there for you no matter what, it's awesome to see in a coach.”

'Coach McCaffery has stuck up for me since day one, and I love him for it,” Woodbury said. 'I can't ask for much more. When a coach believes in you, it gives you a lot of confidence to do what you what do.”

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