Iowa fires head coach Fran McCaffery

Iowa had its season end last night in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament. Now, after a decade and a half, the program will move in a new direction starting next season.

Per reporting, including by On3’s Joe Tipton this afternoon, Iowa has fired head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery. That’s after McCaffery had led the Hawkeyes since 2010.

In his 15 seasons as their head coach, Iowa posted a 297-207 record and a 143-141 mark in conference play. The Hawkeyes made it to the NCAA Tournament seven times during that tenure but failed to ever make it past the Round of 32. They also would’ve likely earned another in 2019-20 but that postseason was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

McCaffery’s best season at the helm of the program was the 2021-22 campaign when the Hawkeyes posted a 26-10 overall record, a 12-8 conference mark and won the Big Ten Tournament for the first time since 2006. The team was led by Keegan Murray, a Consensus All-American and All-Big Ten selection who went on to be the No. 4 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

Unfortunately for McCaffery, he was unable to capture similar success this past season. Iowa finished the regular season 16-15 and 7-13 in conference play before ultimately suffering a season-ending loss in the Big Ten Tournament. The Hawkeyes won their opening matchup against Ohio State but fell to Illinois in the second round. During that game, which now end up being his final one, McCaffery was ejected after receiving two technical fouls.

Afterward, McCaffery was asked whether he expected to be coaching at Iowa next season. He gave a definitive, two-word response: “I do.”

McCaffery’s contract lasted through June 30, 2028. With this, Iowa will now owe McCaffery approximately $4.2 million for its decision to part ways with the head coach early.

McCaffery has also had head coaching stints at Lehigh (1995-98), UNC Greensboro (1999-2005) and Siena (2005-10). As he is now 65 years old, it’s unclear whether McCaffrey will search for a new role or step away from the game.

McCaffery not only contributed to the community on the court but off it as well. McCaffery was an outspoken cancer fundraiser and advocate during his time at the helm of the program. McCaffery and his wife also host a cancer fundraiser at their home every year to raise money for the University of Iowa’s Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program. The pair have raised over a million dollars for the cause since coming to Iowa in 2010.

Now, Fran McCaffery will enter the next chapter of his life. Iowa will then begin a search for their next head coach with their offseason starting today with this move.