I'm looking forward to having another dive buddy and while I can help later, if they don't walk away from this feeling safe and secure in the water, it may be dead before it gets a chance to start.
Definitely. The best you can do is share with your friend the feedback you've received here. Convince your friend that OW class is an experience that should be fun and enjoyable, not something that must be endured. They should know that an OW class that makes them feel uncomfortable is not normal, and that there are plenty of other instructors available that will make the experience what it should be.
Then let the friend decide what they want to do.