Iowa women’s basketball team’s revered head coach Lisa Bluder announced her retirement Monday after 24 years at the helm. The decision comes in the wake of Iowa's second consecutive NCAA tournament championship game loss April 7, and star player Caitlin Clark's move to the WNBA, where she was drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever.
Bluder's coaching journey at Iowa began in 2000 when she was introduced as the team's fifth head coach. A native of Iowa, Bluder arrived at Iowa after a decade of success at Drake University. Over her tenure with the Hawkeyes, she became the all-time winningest coach in program history, amassing a record of 528-253 at Iowa and a career total of 884 wins over four decades, per Michael Voepel of ESPN.
Bluder has been recognized as the Big Ten Coach of the Year three times and has also received two WBCA Regional Coach of the Year honors.
In her retirement statement, Bluder expressed gratitude to the Iowa Hawkeye family and reflected on her journey filled with memories of leading a program with talented young women.
“It is with a range of emotions that I share with you today that I have decided to step down from leading the Iowa women’s basketball … It has been the honor of my career to be a part of the Iowa Hawkeye family, and to lead a women’s basketball program filled with so many talented and remarkable young women, who have gone on to do great things in their careers and, more importantly, in their lives. There is no denying that this past season was incredible for so many reasons, and we could not have accomplished our achievements without all of you,” Buder stated. “After the season ended … came personal contemplation about what this journey has meant to me, how to best champion this program, and what the future looks like for my family and me. After then taking some time away with my husband, David, it became clear to me that I am ready to step aside.”
Lisa Bluder passes the baton to Jan Jensen
Bluder’s retirement after over two decades as the head coach of the Iowa women’s basketball team marks a transition for the program. Bluder, known for her strategic acumen and ability to develop top talent, leaves behind an impressive legacy as she passes the baton to her longtime associate, Jan Jensen.
Jensen, who has been with Bluder for her entire career at Iowa and previously at Drake, is expected to continue the program's tradition of excellence.
“I have been so blessed to have enjoyed an incredible ride with Lisa. That ride started when I was her player and continued for 33 years as I had the privilege to work alongside of her. I can’t thank Lisa enough for her mentorship, leadership, and most of all her friendship. I am so proud of all we accomplished and grateful for all the memories we created,” Jensen said in a press realse from the university. “I am now beyond elated to begin my new role … I truly love The University of Iowa and I am profoundly honored and excited to continue building on our success. The support we have in every realm from our administration, donors, alumni and fans is unmatched and I am so proud to be a part of this special university.”
Bluder’s tenure at Iowa was marked by several notable achievements, including 18 NCAA tournament appearances. Her teams captured five Big Ten tournament titles and made consecutive trips to the NCAA championship games in her final two seasons. These accomplishments highlight a period of continued excellence that culminated in three consecutive Big Ten tournament victories, an impressive feat that highlights the competitive consistency of squads under Bluder’s leadership.
“There is never an ideal time to retire and I am sure this fall that I will miss the games, the practices, the road trips, the atmosphere, the tremendous fans and, most importantly, the players. But my belief in the foundation of this program, knowing that success is now an unrelenting component of women’s basketball at the University of Iowa gives me comfort as I transition to become the program’s biggest champion,” Bluder said. “I want to thank each and every young woman who believed in our program and in our values for nearly a quarter of a century … I want to thank the incredible fans for believing in what we were doing and how we were doing it, creating the greatest home court advantage in all of women’s basketball … It is my hope that now with more time and energy, I can be an asset to our basketball program and this athletics department in any way that I am able.”
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