Iowa women’s basketball head coach Lisa Bluder announces retirement

Head Coach Lisa Bluder and Associate Head Coach Jan Jensen of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate after defeating the Louisville Cardinals 97-83 in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Climate Pledge Arena on March 26, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Iowa women’s head basketball coach Lisa Bluder announced her retirement Monday after 24 years at the University of Iowa, with associate head coach Jan Jensen set to take the helm.

Bluder said she felt a “range of emotions” sharing the news of her retirement in a letter to the Hawkeye community, but it came clear after looking at her career and what comes next for both the program and her family that it is time to step down.

“It has been the honor of my career to be a part of the Iowa Hawkeye family, and to lead a women’s basketball program filled with so many talented and remarkable young women, who have gone on to do great things in their careers and, more importantly, in their lives,” Bluder said in a news release. “There is no better person to lead this program than Jan Jensen and I am thrilled she will have the opportunity to build on the foundation established. I’m committed to help her, and her staff, in whatever capacity they need moving forward.”

Bluder will retire as the all-time winningest coach in Big Ten history, according to the release, with her overall record coming to 528-254 and a Big Ten record of 262-145. The Iowa women’s basketball team has played in the last 14 of 16 NCAA tournaments, earned five Big Ten Tournament titles and shared two Big Ten regular season championships, the release stated.

She was also named the Naismith Coach of the Year in 2019 and earned the title of Big Ten Coach of the Year three times. Bluder’s 40-year coaching career began at St. Ambrose University, where she stayed from 1985-1990 before working for 10 years at Drake University.

According to the release, Jensen has worked with Bluder for 24 years at the UI and for eight at Drake University, where she also played under Bluder as a student. Jensen has held the role of associate head coach at the UI for 20 years, where she has helped lead the women’s basketball team to 18 NCAA tournaments.

Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Beth Goetz said in the release that Jensen has worked in the women’s basketball program as a “tireless recruiter, skilled teacher of the game, and charismatic personality,” and has been integral to its success.

“I have been so blessed to have enjoyed an incredible ride with Lisa. That ride started when I was her player and continued for 33 years as I had the privilege to work alongside her. I can’t thank Lisa enough for her mentorship, leadership, and most of all her friendship. I am so proud of all we accomplished and grateful for all the memories we created,” Jensen said in the release. “I am now beyond elated to begin my new role and want to thank President Wilson and Beth for the opportunity to lead this program.”

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