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Iowa basketball: Four former Hawks who could replace Andrew Francis

By Andrew Wade

COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 30: Assistant Coach Andrew Francis congratulates Mike Gesell #10, both of the Iowa Hawkeyes, after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 71-65 at Value City Arena on December 30, 2014 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 30: Assistant Coach Andrew Francis congratulates Mike Gesell #10, both of the Iowa Hawkeyes, after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes 71-65 at Value City Arena on December 30, 2014 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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6 Mar 1998: Guard Dean Oliver of the Iowa Hawkeyes in action against guard Travis Conlan of the Michigan Wolverines (left) during a Big 10 Tournament game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Michigan defeated Iowa 77-66. Mandatory Credit: Jonatha
6 Mar 1998: Guard Dean Oliver of the Iowa Hawkeyes in action against guard Travis Conlan of the Michigan Wolverines (left) during a Big 10 Tournament game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Michigan defeated Iowa 77-66. Mandatory Credit: Jonatha /

Dean Oliver

Former starting point guard Dean Oliver is currently with the Iowa basketball program’s northeastern rival as an assistant coach, making this too perfect of a match for the Hawkeye’s assistant coaching spot. Not only would it be hurting a rival, but it would be bringing in a rising star in the coaching world with ties to not just the University of Iowa but the state of Iowa (Oliver was a standout guard in Mason City).

In his career with the Iowa basketball program, Oliver played in 126 games (starting 35), earning Third Team All-Big Ten honors three times. He was instrumental in the Hawks making two NCAA Tournaments and was on the last Hawkeyes team to make the Sweet 16 back in 1999. As a senior, he averaged 14.9 points and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 36% from three.

He managed to parlay a solid collegiate career into an opportunity with the Golden State Warriors for two seasons despite being undrafted. After that, he bounced around the G-League and European Leagues before settling into a coaching role in 2011 with North Dakota. Since that time, he’s been working his way up the ranks first with North Dakota, then with Illinois State, and now with the Wisconsin Badgers.

Oliver is revered among Iowa basketball fans, and he would help tremendously with recruiting, especially in the state of Iowa. Moreover, he could provide invaluable insight to young guards CJ Fredrick and Joe Toussaint who are building blocks of the Iowa basketball program for the future.

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