In a move that has taken many by surprise, Iowa Hawkeyes head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffrey is reportedly out of a job after 15 seasons with the program.
The sudden end to McCaffrey’s tenure not only marks a major shift for Iowa basketball but also hits close to home for WNBA phenom Caitlin Clark and her boyfriend Connor McCaffrey, Fran’s eldest son.
McCaffrey, 65, has been a fixture on the sidelines since 2010, leading Iowa to seven NCAA Tournament appearances and developing several NBA-caliber players, including four NBA draftees over the past four seasons.
However, Iowa never advanced beyond the second round of the tournament under his leadership – a glaring omission on an otherwise impressive resume.
The final blow may have been Iowa’s 17-16 overall finish this season, including a 7-13 conference record, placing them near the bottom of the Big Ten.
Fran‘s last game was marred by controversy as he received back-to-back technical fouls and was ejected during a loss to Illinois – an emotional and symbolic end to his time with the Hawkeyes.
How Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffrey Are Impacted by the Shocking Departure
Fran McCaffrey‘s exit is deeply personal for Connor McCaffrey, who played under his father at Iowa from 2017 to 2023.
Now an assistant coach at Butler University in Indianapolis, Connor remains closely tied to the Hawkeyes through family, and through his high-profile relationship with Caitlin Clark, who herself is transitioning to the WNBA with the Indiana Fever.
The couple, who are approaching their two-year anniversary next month, made their relationship public in August 2023. Their shared history with Iowa athletics means Fran’s departure is more than just a coaching change – it’s a major family event.
As one of the longest-serving coaches in the Big Ten, Fran McCaffrey ranked behind only Tom Izzo of Michigan State and Matt Painter of Purdue in tenure. His departure leaves a void not only in Iowa’s program but also in the conference.
McCaffrey’s coaching career, which began long before Iowa, includes head coaching roles at Siena, UNC Greensboro, and Lehigh, but this may have been his final stop as a head coach.
At 65, many wonder if he’ll return to another program or if this marks the end of his career on the sidelines.
Though Fran’s coaching chapter appears to be closing, Connor and Caitlin are both embarking on pivotal points in their careers – with Connor building his coaching path and Clark launching her WNBA journey.
McCaffrey’s exit comes as the Iowa women’s basketball team, led by Clark, is gearing up for a deep NCAA tournament run. The timing is bittersweet, as Clark’s on-court brilliance contrasts with the turmoil now surrounding her boyfriend’s family.
With the news now public, all eyes are on what’s next for Fran McCaffrey – and how his family, including Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffrey, will navigate this unexpected chapter.
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