Iowa Women's Basketball Coach Lisa Bluder Retires, Names Jan Jensen Successor

Iowa women's basketball head coach Lisa Bluder has announced her retirement after 24 seasons at the helm, with longtime assistant Jan Jensen named as her successor. The move comes as former Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark prepares for her pro debut with the WNBA's Indiana Fever.

Lisa Bluder, the legendary head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team, has announced her retirement, effective immediately. Bluder's retirement marks the end of an era for the Hawkeyes, as she has been at the helm of the program for 24 years, guiding them to unprecedented success.

Bluder's decision to step down comes after the Hawkeyes dropped their second consecutive national championship game, this time to South Carolina. The loss capped off a season that saw the Hawkeyes finish with a 29-7 record and ranked No. 5 in the final AP Poll.

In a statement released by the university, Bluder expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Hawkeyes for the past 24 years.

"There is no denying that this past season was incredible for so many reasons, and we could not have accomplished our achievements without all of you," Bluder said. "After the season ended, I spent time with our student-athletes and coaches reviewing the season and preparing those moving on for what comes next."

Bluder's retirement opens the door for Jan Jensen to take over the reins of the Iowa women's basketball program. Jensen has been an associate head coach under Bluder for the past 20 years and was also with Bluder when they were at Drake University.

Jensen is a former All-American at Drake and the highest-scoring player ever in six-on-six basketball at El Horn-Kimballton High School in Iowa. She is widely respected in the basketball community and is considered to be one of the top assistant coaches in the country.

In a statement, Bluder expressed her confidence in Jensen's ability to lead the Hawkeyes to continued success.

"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."

Jensen will take over as head coach of the Hawkeyes starting in the 2024-25 season. She inherits a program that is poised to compete for national championships in the years to come.

Bluder's retirement brings to a close one of the most successful chapters in Iowa women's basketball history. She led the Hawkeyes to five Big Ten Tournament championships, three Big Ten Coach of the Year awards, and the 2019 Naismith College Coach of the Year award.

Bluder's legacy will undoubtedly be defined by her ability to develop players and build a winning culture in Iowa City. She has coached numerous All-Americans and has helped the Hawkeyes reach the NCAA Tournament 20 times in her 24 years at the helm.

Bluder's retirement is a bittersweet moment for Iowa women's basketball. While her presence on the sidelines will be missed, her legacy will continue to inspire the Hawkeyes for years to come.