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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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MILWAUKEE – FEBRUARY 13: Michael Redd #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks puts up a shot over Ryan Bowen #40 of the New Orleans Hornets on February 13, 2008 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Hornets defeated the Bucks 111-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agreees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE – FEBRUARY 13: Michael Redd #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks puts up a shot over Ryan Bowen #40 of the New Orleans Hornets on February 13, 2008 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Hornets defeated the Bucks 111-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agreees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Ryan Bowen

Ryan Bowen is a name that brings back memories for long-time Iowa basketball fans. Bowen, a 6’9” power forward is originally from Fort Madison, Iowa and spent four years in the Iowa basketball program before embarking on an 11-year professional career that included 10 seasons in the NBA with the Nuggets, Rockets, Hornets, and Thunder. Although his pro career stat line isn’t necessarily impressive, the longevity of his career, built on outworking others, absolutely is.

Much like Oliver, Bowen brings the Iowa native presence to the in-state recruiting scene, and his NBA experience is sure to pay dividends both on and off the court as Fran McCaffery attempts to establish the golden years of Iowa basketball.

More importantly, Bowen and McCaffery already have a relationship built. After finishing his playing career, Bowen joined the Iowa basketball program for a year as a Video Coordinator and Administrative Assistant. That quickly turned into an NBA gig with his former team, the Denver Nuggets as an assistant coach. He’s been in an assistant coaching role for the past 8 years with the Nuggets and, for a brief time, with the Kings.

Although it would be interesting to see if he would be willing to drop in ranks, the allure of moving back home may be a huge intangible factor that could bring his name to the top of the assistant coach list for Gary Barta if he is interested in the job.

The Nuggets are currently in the middle of a playoff run, so this would potentially take some patient for the Iowa basketball program if they were mutually interested.

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