For the first time in more than a decade, Iowa needs a new head coach.
The Hawkeyes fired Fran McCaffery on Friday after his 15th season with the program ended with a 17-16 record, with no NCAA Tournament berth for a second consecutive year and — to top it all off — an ejection in Iowa’s season-ending loss to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament.
And for McCaffery, a polarizing coach known for his in-game antics, it was perhaps a fitting final chapter.
As Iowa moved the ball upcourt just over six minutes into the second half, trailing Illinois by nine, McCaffery appeared to start jawing at one of the officials — which prompted a whistle and a technical foul.
But as other members of the Hawkeyes’ coaching staff attempted to escort McCaffery back toward the bench, he reached his arm around one of his assistants, seemingly pointed toward an official and shouted something.
That prompted a second technical foul, which led to the fifth ejection of McCaffery’s career and prevented him from being able to end the Hawkeyes’ season on the bench.
“But you know, I’m always going to advocate for my guys,” McCaffery told reporters. “That’s my job, and we had some very emotional moments in the locker room.”
In the immediate aftermath of a 106-94 loss to Illinois in the second round of the conference tournament Thursday, McCaffery said he expected to return next season.
By Friday afternoon, though, the university had determined otherwise.
“Fran McCaffery has been an integral part of our Hawkeye family for the past 15 years,” Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz said. “He is a tremendous coach and teacher, and we are grateful for the positive impact he has made on the institution and the community. We have a deep appreciation for his dedication to our student-athletes and his passion for the game that will have a lasting impact on our program.”
McCaffery took over at Iowa ahead of the 2010-11 season and led the Hawkeyes to seven NCAA Tournament appearances and one Big Ten Tournament championship in 2023.
Prior to arriving at Iowa, he spent five seasons at Siena, six at UNC Greensboro and three at Lehigh as head coach, while also having stints as an assistant with Penn, Lehigh and Notre Dame.
His son, Connor, spent six years with the program and currently serves as an assistant on Butler’s men’s basketball staff, and Connor has dated Fever — and one-time Iowa — star Caitlin Clark for nearly two years.
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