Caitlin Clark's instant reactions to Lisa Bluder's retirement, new Iowa women's basketball coach

Iowa women's basketball head coach Lisa Bluder has announced her retirement after 24 seasons as the leader of the program, and the biggest star player she had in her time there, Caitlin Clark, took to X and Instagram to react to the news.

“Simply no one better at building a team… Thank you for believing in me more than anyone 🤍 Enjoy retirement, coach. Very much deserved 🥹” Caitlin Clark said on X.

Clark became the center of the women's college basketball universe over the last few years, leading the Iowa women's basketball team to two straight national championship games. Despite not coming away with a championship win, Lisa Blunder had a great run at Iowa and went out with two great seasons. Clark also commented on Instagram.

“Forever goat. We were so lucky ❤️‍🔥” Clark commented on Instagram.

Bluder coached for 10 years at the Drake women's basketball program before moving to Iowa for the 2000-2001 season. In that time, Bluder had a 293-188 record and reached the NCAA Tournament four times, according to Sports Reference. With Iowa, she went 782-528, and overall she had a 716-359 record as a head coach. She earned Missouri Valley Conference and Big Ten conference of the year awards three times each, and earned the Naismith Coach of the Year award in the 2018-2019 season.

Iowa made a quick move to name Jan Jensen as the successor to Bluder. The hope is she can carry the torch and continue the success that Iowa has had over the last few years. That will be a tall order with Clark departed for the WNBA and the Indiana Fever.

Caitlin Clark endorses Jan Jensen to take over Iowa women's basketball

In addition to congratulating Bluder in multiple places on social media, Clark endorsed Jensen getting the head coaching job.

“The only option there ever was!!! 😁 You deserve this more than anyone 💛 Can't wait to watch you lead this program!!!” Clark said on X.

Jensen has been with Iowa for 24 seasons. as well, and has been the associate head coach for 20 seasons. She served as the recruiting coordinator and worked with post players as well. Jensen was an assistant for Bluder at Drake as well, so it has been a long time coming, but she is getting a shot at running her own program now.

The good news for Iowa is that Jensen has been vital for the team's recruiting, so she has an existing relationship with the players who are returning as well as the freshman class that is coming in. It will be interesting to see how the roster shakes out this season and how the Hawkeyes stack up in the Big Ten as a result.

It will be a big step for Jensen taking over for Bluder. Clark believes she is up for the task.