For over two decades, the Iowa women's basketball squad was helmed by the great Lisa Bluder. But Bluder is no longer the head coach of the Hawkeyes after announcing her retirement on Monday. Indiana Fever Caitlin Clark heard of Bluder's decision and offered her thoughts on her former coach during his legendary career in Hawkeyes uniform.
“Yeah, I'm happy for her. I called her and talked to her on the phone. I think she probably put a lot of thought into it and making this decision. I couldn't be more happy for her,” the Fever rookie told reporters (h/t Chloe Peterson of IndyStarSports).
“I mean, I probably took a couple years off of her career for having to coach me before. But no, I think the program's gonna be in a really good place with Coach J.”
During her unforgettable time with Iowa basketball, Bluder racked up a 528-254 record for a 67.5 percent winning rate. Clark can also attribute her rise to fame in women's hoops to Bluder, whose shiny resume includes three Big Ten Coch of the Year awards and a Naismith College Coach of the Year win. Bluder began her coaching career with the Hawkeyes in 2020 and led the program to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Clark can consider herself lucky to have been coached by Bluder during the Fever star's four-year stay at Iowa. Clark put up remarkable numbers of 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists during her memorable tenure with the Hawkeyes, who also made the NCAA Tournament national championship game in each of the last two seasons.
Caitlin Clark sounds off on Iowa women's basketball hire of Jan Jensen
Clark also spoke about Jan Jensen, who succeeds Bluder at the top of the Iowa women's basketball coaching staff.
“Taking over somebody that's been very selfless, like had had a head coaching opportunities, but she passed those up to help our program be a lot better. I think having that common figure in the locker room for girls that are still there and the recruits that are still there. But I know Coach Bluder will still be around a lot. So I'm happy for her. I know she's missed out on family things and, you know, getting to see her sons last year of college basketball was important to her. So just happy and I know she'll enjoy it.”
Bluder certainly believes in Jensen. After all, the two worked together for more than two decades. Jensen was an assistant under Bluder during their days running the Drake women's basketball before following Bluder to Iowa. Last season, Jensen was named the WBCA Assistant Coach of the Year.
As mentioned by Caitlin Clark, Jensen could have gone somewhere, perhaps for bigger offers from another program, but ultimately decided that it's best to stay at Iowa, which is about to enter its first season after the Lisa Bluder era. Bluder is going to be a tough act to follow for Jensen, but the latter's familiarity with the program should greatly help her adjust to a new position.
In any case, Clark, who makes her debut in the WNBA regular season Tuesday night against the Connecticut Sun, can be expected to continue keeping tabs on the Hawkeyes despite her busy schedule after being selected first overall by the Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
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