After 24 years coaching the Iowa Hawkeyes, Lisa Bluder has retired and given way to Jan Jansen as her replacement. This prompted WNBA star and Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark to reveal her true feelings about the coaching change.
Clark first a name for herself as the top high school prospect in the Class of 2020. From there, she joined the Iowa Hawkeyes after initially committing to Notre Dame and became the hottest name in college basketball during her stint there.
Under the guidance of Lisa Bluder, Clark established herself as the best scorer in NCAA women’s basketball history. She did just that a few months ago when the Iowa Hawkeyes star broke Pete Maravich’s old record and made history as the all-time leading scorer in college basketball.
For her part, Bluder is considered as the women’s head coach with the most wins in Big Ten history. In the 24 years she coached the Hawkeyes, she won 782 games and lost 528. Adding her time coaching Drake and her record goes up to 1,075-716. All in all, Bluder spent 40 seasons as a head coach for women’s college basketball.
Caitlin Clark Congratulates Jan Jansen As Iowa Hawkeyes New Coach After Lisa Bluder’s Retirement
Along with the announcement of Bluder’s retirement, Iowa also informed the public that Jan Jansen will replace her as the Hawkeyes’ new head coach. In response, Clark shared his thoughts about the coaching change on her official X account:
The only option there ever was!!!😁 You deserve this more than anyone💛 Can’t wait to watch you lead this program!!! https://t.co/Q94oSF1rKv
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) May 13, 2024
Jansen served as Bluder’s assistant during her time in Iowa, and even coaching Drake before that. She is set to inherit a program made more relevant by the Indiana Fever star during the last four years.
It remains to be seen what version of the Hawkeyes Jansen will get once the new NCAA season starts. Nevertheless, Clark’s endorsement of her is more than enough to steady the ship now that Bluder is gone.
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