Iowa women's basketball head coach Lisa Bluder announced her retirement Monday as former Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark nears her professional debut with the WNBA's Indiana Fever.
Bluder's former assistant, Jan Jensen, was named his successor.
“There is no denying that last season was incredible for many reasons, and we could not have accomplished our accomplishments without all of you,” Bluder said in an open letter to fans. “After the season ended, I spent time with our student-athletes and coaches reviewing the season and preparing them for what comes next.
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Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder, left, stands with associate head coach Jan Jensen, right, before an NCAA college basketball game against Nebraska, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
“With that also came a personal contemplation about what this journey has meant to me, how to best advocate for this program, and what the future will look like for my family and I. After taking some time with my husband, David, it became clear “I'm willing to step aside.”
Bluder's retirement came more than a month after Iowa lost its second straight national championship, this time to South Carolina.
He spent 24 years leading the Hawkeyes after spending 10 years at Drake. Bluder was 716-359 in his career.
Clark, arguably the best player during Bluder's tenure, congratulated her former coach.
CAITLIN CLARK REMEMBERS THE 'FRUSTRATING' MEDIA STORM OVER THE LOSS OF THE 2023 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Iowa NCAA women's college basketball head coach Lisa Bluder arrives on the red carpet ahead of the world premiere and screening of episode 1 of the upcoming ESPN+ original series Full Court Press, Monday, May 6, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
“There is simply no one better to build a team with,” Clark wrote in X. “Thank you for believing in me more than anyone. Enjoy your retirement, coach. Well deserved.”
Jensen will take the reins starting with the 2024-25 season. She was Bluder's associate head coach for 20 years. She was also with Bluder when they were on Drake.
She was an All-American at Drake and the highest scoring player in six-on-six basketball at El Horn-Kimballton High School in Iowa.
“There is no better person to lead this program than Jan Jensen and I am delighted that he will have the opportunity to build on the foundation established,” Bluder said. “I am committed to helping her and her staff in whatever capacity they need moving forward.”
Head Coach Lisa Bluder of the Iowa Hawkeyes high-fives Caitlin Clark #22 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament National Championship at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 7, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photos by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA via Getty Images)
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Bluder helped Iowa win five Big Ten Tournament championships. She was the Big Ten Coach of the Year three times and Naismith College Coach of the Year in 2019.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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