Iowa's McCaffery flies to NCAA game after son's surgery

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Iowa coach Fran McCaffery said his son's surgery to remove a thyroid tumor went as planned and he flew from Iowa City to Dayton, Ohio, to coach the Hawkeyes in the NCAA tournament Wednesday night.

McCaffery, 54, is a former La Salle High and Penn star who has coached at Lehigh, UNC Greensboro, and Siena. He said his son Patrick, who turns 14 Thursday, was in "good spirits" after the operation. Doctors will continue testing to determine further treatment.

McCaffery flew with the Hawkeyes to Dayton on Monday to prepare for their First Four matchup with fellow No. 11 seed Tennessee. The Volunteers won, 78-65, in overtime. He returned to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics to be with his family for Wednesday's procedure.

McCaffery said the outpouring of support and encouragement from the public has been "overwhelming."