Connor McCaffery just hit a coaching milestone with the Butler Bulldogs, but it’s Caitlin Clark‘s unwavering support that continues to make headlines.
While McCaffery commemorated his first year as an assistant coach by sharing photos on Instagram that reflected his journey, Clark, his longtime girlfriend and WNBA star, couldn’t help but tease him in the comments.
“Your editing and cropping skills r really good,” Clark joked, drawing attention to the heartfelt collection of pictures McCaffery posted. The carousel featured moments from the sidelines, intense practices, and bonding time with his younger brother Patrick McCaffery.
Over the past year, Clark has established herself as more than just a supportive partner. She’s become a courtside fixture at Butler games, whether it was the season opener or a tense matchup against Merrimack.
From the beginning, she’s had faith in McCaffery’s coaching trajectory, telling reporters when he was hired: “I’m super excited for him. Obviously, his basketball knowledge is pretty good.”
McCaffery’s impact at Butler
McCaffery joined Butler‘s staff in 2023, bringing with him developmental experience from the Indiana Pacers, as well as the lifelong influence of his father, Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery.
Tasked with helping guide a rebuilding program under head coach Thad Matta, Connor made his presence felt immediately.
Butler finished the 2024 season with a 15-20 record, including 6-14 in Big East play. Those numbers might not jump off the page, but they marked a critical transitional year for the program. And it culminated in a berth in the inaugural College Basketball Crown postseason tournament. The Bulldogs pulled off a dramatic 86-84 win over Utah before bowing out against Boise State in the quarterfinals.
Clark‘s unwavering support during that season has been one of the quiet backstories of their relationship. Even amid the whirlwind of her first WNBA offseason, she made every effort to be at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Whether it meant bringing her family, delaying holiday dinners, or navigating media attention, Clark made Butler basketball a personal priority.
That commitment even included the now-legendary doubleheader day: Clark first appeared at Iowa’s Big Ten tournament game, then immediately traveled to watch Butler in action later that same day.
She earned herself an unofficial title among fans as “Butler’s hype woman,” a badge she wore proudly. Her consistent presence didn’t go unnoticed by Bulldogs fans or coaching staff.
Read the full article here
