Lisa Bluder, who coached the Iowa women’s basketball team in the last two NCAA championship games, announced Monday that she is retiring after 24 years leading the Hawkeyes. Her longtime assistant, Jan Jensen, was named her successor.
Bluder made the announcement five weeks after Iowa lost to South Carolina in the national title game and superstar Caitlin Clark ended her college career.
“There’s no denying that last season was incredible for so many reasons, and we couldn’t have achieved 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 those moving forward for what comes next.
“With this also came 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 me and my family. After spending some time with my husband, David, it’s clear to me that I’m ready to step away.”
Bluder, 63, retires as the Big Ten’s all-time coach wins leader with a 528-254 record at Iowa, including 65-12 the last two years with Clark leading the way. She was 716-359, including her 10 seasons at Drake.
“There is simply no one better at building a team,” Clark wrote on the X. “Thank you for believing in me more than anyone. Enjoy your retirement, coach. Very deserved.”
Jensen, 55, was an associate coach with Bluder for 20 years and was with Bluder for a total of 24 at Iowa and eight at Drake. Jensen is a beloved figure in the Hawkeye State. She was one of the highest-scoring players in six-on-six basketball at Elk Horn-Kimballton and was an All-America player for Drake in Des Moines. She spent her entire coaching career in the state.
“There is no better person to lead this program than Jan Jensen and I am thrilled that she will have the opportunity to build on the foundation that has been established,” said Bluder. “I am committed to helping her and her team in any capacity necessary moving forward.”
Jensen, who played his final season at Drake with Bluder as coach, said he is excited to begin his first head coaching job.
“I was so blessed to have enjoyed an incredible ride with Lisa,” said Jensen. “This journey began when I was her player and continued for 33 years when I had the privilege of working alongside her. I can’t thank Lisa enough for her guidance, leadership, and most of all, her friendship. I am so proud of everything we have accomplished and grateful for all the memories we have created.”
The Hawkeyes won two shared Big Ten regular-season championships and five conference tournament titles and made 18 NCAA Tournament appearances under Bluder, who had just one losing season.
The arrival of Clark, whose main recruiter at Iowa was Jensen, elevated the program and played a key role in raising the profile of women’s soccer in the United States with her dynamic offensive play.
Clark became the NCAA Division I career scoring leader for both men and women and set many other records as she dazzled fans with her long-range 3-point shots and precision passing. She started every game from 2020-24 as Iowa went 109-30. She was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever and will play her first regular-season game Tuesday at Connecticut.
Bluder’s 2023 team was the first Iowa team to make a Final Four and a championship game, and with Clark and a returning veteran supporting cast, the Hawkeyes repeated the feat last season. They fell short both times, losing to LSU in 2023 and South Carolina last month.
Kate Martin, who spent the past six seasons at Iowa and is now with the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, said she was shocked to learn Bluder was retiring. Martin found out during a scheduled media availability with the Aces.
“She’s been coaching at Iowa as long as I’ve been alive,” Martin said, “so she deserves a break and she deserves everything she’s going to get in her future. And, you know, it’s family time, relaxation.”
Martin added, laughing: “God knows we put her through a lot, so I’m really happy for her. She will be missed. She’s one of the greatest of all time.”
