Caitlin Clark 'happy' for Lisa Bluder's retirement, Iowa in 'good place' with Jan Jensen

Caitlin Clark left Iowa in a good place as did Lisa Bluder when the coach retired Monday. Jan Jensen assumed the role of head coach of the Hawkeyes after the announcement.

Clark played for Bluder all four years of her college career, leading to the No. 1 overall selection by the Indiana Fever. With Jensen taking over, Clark said she was happy Bluder came to that decision after a great career and is excited for the program moving forward.

She opened up during the Fever’s pregame shootaround Tuesday.

“I’m happy for her,” Clark said. “I called her and talked to her on the phone and she probably put a lot of thought into it and making this decision so I couldn’t be more happy for her. I mean, I probably took a couple years off from her career for having to coach me. But no, I think, you know, the program’s gonna be in a really good place with coach J taking over.” 

Jensen began her coaching career in 1993 as an assistant at Drake under Bluder. After the 1999-2000 season, she followed Bluder to Iowa.

For the last near-quarter century, Jensen’s been the associate head coach. For the Hawkeyes, it was an easy promotion for the 1991 NCAA women’s scoring leader.

“(She’s) somebody that’s been very selfless, like has had a lot of head coaching opportunities but has passed on to help our program be a lot better,” Clark said of Jensen. “So I think having that common figure in the locker room for girls that are still there and the recruits that are still there (is good), but I know coach Bluder will still be around a lot. 

“So I’m happy for her and then she’s missed out on family things and you know, getting to see her son’s last year of college basketball was important to her so just happy and I know she’ll enjoy it.”

Clark, under Bluder’s guidance, developed into one of the greatest college women’s basketball players in history. She became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever.

Bluder just wrapped up her 24th season as the Iowa coach and has amassed a 528-253 overall record. She has directed the Hawkeyes to five Big Ten Tournament championships, four of which have come since 2019, and 18 NCAA Tournament appearances.

Clark will go on to her pro career while Bluder will surely watch her and other former players at the next level. But of course, Bluder will always be a legend in Iowa City.