The legendary Lisa Bluder led the Iowa women’s basketball team for more than two decades. But Bluder is no longer the Hawkeyes’ head coach, having announced her resignation on Monday. Indiana Fever Caitlin Clark learned of Bluder’s departure and shared her views on her former coach during his illustrious Hawkeyes tenure.
“Yes, I am pleased for her. I called her and spoke to her over the phone. I believe she carefully considered her options before making her decision. “I couldn’t be happier for her,” the Fever rookie told reporters (via Chloe Peterson of IndyStarSports).
“I mean, I definitely deducted a couple of years off her career for having to coach me earlier. But, no, I believe Coach J will lead the program to great success.
Bluder has a 528-254 record with Iowa basketball, good for a 67.5 percent winning percentage. Clark may also credit Bluder for her ascent to prominence in women’s basketball, since he has three Big Ten Coach of the Year honors and a Naismith College Coach of the Year triumph. Bluder began her coaching tenure with the Hawkeyes in 2020, and she guided the team to 18 NCAA tournament berths.
Clark should count herself fortunate to have been taught by Bluder during the Fever star’s four-year stint at Iowa. Clark averaged 28.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 8.2 assists during her time with the Hawkeyes, who advanced to the NCAA Tournament national championship game in each of the previous two seasons.
Caitlin Clark discusses Iowa’s women’s basketball hire of Jan Jensen.
