Sad news: The women’s college basketball scene lost another coaching juggernaut on Monday

On Monday, another titan of college basketball coaching left the women’s game.

Through a statement from the program, Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder declared her retirement from coaching:

“It has been a privilege for me throughout my career to be a member of the Iowa Hawkeye family and to oversee a women’s basketball program that has produced so many gifted and exceptional young women who have achieved great success in both their personal and professional lives. Unquestionably, this past season was amazing for a number of reasons, and without all of you, we could not have achieved what we did. I reviewed the season with our coaches and student-athletes after it concluded, getting those who were moving on ready for the next phase of their athletic careers. Along with that came introspection about what this journey meant to me, how I could best support this initiative, and what my family’s and my future held. I realized that I was ready to step down after taking some time off with my husband, David,” Bluder wrote.

Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 choice in the WNBA Draft and her previous player of the highest caliber, showed her support on social media by reposting and commenting on an Instagram photo. Following the greatest year in the school’s history, the two program icons left.

Bluder began her career in 1984 at St. Ambrose, an NAIA program. She took advantage of that and worked at Drake from 1990 to 2000 before accepting the position in Iowa. She finished with a 533-254 record at Iowa and a 262-145 lifetime record.

Jan Hensen will take over as head coach of the Hawkeyes, it has already been revealed.

Bluder is one of two legendary players that have retired this offseason, along with Tara VanDerveer, another game mainstay.

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Everyone is producing identical Joking After Iowa Coach Retires, Caitlin Clark

Lisa Bluder, the women’s basketball coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes, announced her retirement on Monday afternoon. Bluder led the team for 24 seasons, from 2000 to 2024.

Jan Jenson, her assistant coach, will succeed her as the Hawkeyes’ new head coach.

Bluder received the Naismith Coach of the Year award in 2018–19 and guided her team to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances while she was at Iowa. With the team, she had a 528-254 overall record.

Although she was unsuccessful in both of her attempts, she guided Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes to two consecutive NCAA Women’s College Basketball Championships. After Clark leaves the Hawkeyes to join the WNBA, she will also leave.

Fans posted the same Caitlin Clark joke on social media after Bluder’s retirement was announced.

“As a coach, I’m quitting if I lose a player like Caitlin Clark. Coach Bluder’s masterpiece was CC.”

“Bluder said I cant do better than Caitlin Clark and peaced”

“She was thru after Caitlin Clark left”

“Caitlin Clark left college and the Iowa coach decided to retire”

“In a world without Caitlin Clark, I didn’t want to coach…I’m able to handle it.

“Lisa said no more Caitlin Clark”

“The Realization that Caitlin Clark was her best chance to win a Natty set in”