Fran McCaffery: Son's surgery puts wins, losses in perspective

DAYTON, Ohio — Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said he had no issues with focus during the NCAA tournament game against Tennessee on Wednesday, even though he spent the morning in Iowa with his 13-year-old son, Patrick, who underwent surgery to remove a thyroid tumor.

"It was a day, needless to say, that has been very difficult," McCaffery said, following the Hawkeyes' loss in the NCAA First Four. "It puts wins and losses in perspective."

McCaffery said he woke up at 5 a.m. and was with his son at the hospital at 6 a.m. preparing for surgery.

After surgery, McCaffery said he spoke with the physician and that his son was was doing great. McCaffery said he then boarded a plane for the return to Dayton and turned his focus toward his team.

He said Patrick will spend Wednesday night in the hospital and may go home Thursday if he doesn't have significant pain or nausea. McCaffery said he could know test results concerning the tumor as early as Friday.

McCaffery thanked Martin and the Tennessee players for their empathy before and after the game. Tennessee players hugged McCaffery afterward and said they were thinking about him Wednesday.

Tennessee Cuonzo Martin said it was "an emotional day for (McCaffery) and his players. You saw the adrenaline they played with in the first half."

"We are a big family," Iowa's Adam Woodbury said. "We were trying to rally around him for him and his family."