After 24 years at the helm, Lisa Bluder has stepped down as head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team. Bluder's retirement comes just over a month after the Hawkeyes lost their second consecutive national championship game.
Iowa women's basketball head coach Lisa Bluder announced her retirement on Monday after 24 years at the helm of the program. Bluder, 716-359 in her career, led the Hawkeyes to five Big Ten Tournament championships and was named Big Ten Coach of the Year three times.
Bluder's retirement came more than a month after Iowa dropped its second consecutive national championship game, this time to South Carolina. The Hawkeyes also lost in the national championship game in 2022.
Bluder spent 10 years at Drake before taking over at Iowa in 2000. She is the winningest coach in Iowa women's basketball history.
Bluder's longtime assistant Jan Jensen was named her successor. Jensen, an All-American at Drake, has been an associate head coach under Bluder for 20 years.
"There is no better person to lead this program than Jan Jensen and I am thrilled she will have the opportunity to build on the foundation established," Bluder said. "I'm committed to help her, and her staff, in whatever capacity they need moving forward."
Bluder's retirement comes as the Hawkeyes are preparing for the departure of Caitlin Clark, arguably the best player in Bluder's tenure. Clark, a two-time AP All-American, is expected to make her WNBA debut with the Indiana Fever this summer.
Clark, who led the Hawkeyes to the national championship game in both 2022 and 2023, congratulated her former coach on her retirement.
"Simply no one better at building a team," Clark wrote on Twitter. "Thank you for believing in me more than anyone. Enjoy retirement, coach. Very much deserved."
Bluder's retirement is a significant loss for Iowa women's basketball. She was a highly respected coach who helped the Hawkeyes achieve unprecedented success.
Jensen, who has been with Bluder for 20 years, is a capable successor. She has a deep understanding of the program and is well-respected by the players.
The Hawkeyes will look to build on their success under Jensen's leadership. They have a talented roster led by Clark, who is expected to be one of the best players in the WNBA.
Iowa will open the 2024-25 season on November 7th against Northern Illinois. The Hawkeyes will be looking to make a run at a sixth Big Ten Tournament championship and their first national championship since 1993.
