For the primary time in additional than a decade, Iowa wants a brand new head coach.
The Hawkeyes fired Fran McCaffery on Friday after his fifteenth season with this system ended with a 17-16 document, with no NCAA Event berth for a second consecutive 12 months and — to high all of it off — an ejection in Iowa’s season-ending loss to Illinois within the Huge Ten Event.
And for McCaffery, a polarizing coach identified for his in-game antics, it was maybe a becoming last chapter.
As Iowa moved the ball upcourt simply over six minutes into the second half, trailing Illinois by 9, McCaffery appeared to begin jawing at one of many officers — which prompted a whistle and a technical foul.
However as different members of the Hawkeyes’ teaching employees tried to escort McCaffery again towards the bench, he reached his arm round considered one of his assistants, seemingly pointed towards an official and shouted one thing.
That prompted a second technical foul, which led to the fifth ejection of McCaffery’s profession and prevented him from having the ability to finish the Hawkeyes’ season on the bench.
“But you know, I’m always going to advocate for my guys,” McCaffery advised reporters. “That’s my job, and we had some very emotional moments in the locker room.”
Within the instant aftermath of a 106-94 loss to Illinois within the second spherical of the convention event Thursday, McCaffery mentioned he anticipated to return subsequent season.
By Friday afternoon, although, the college had decided in any other case.
“Fran McCaffery has been an integral part of our Hawkeye family for the past 15 years,” Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz mentioned. “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 forward of the 2010-11 season and led the Hawkeyes to seven NCAA Event appearances and one Huge Ten Event championship in 2023.
Previous to arriving at Iowa, he spent 5 seasons at Siena, six at UNC Greensboro and three at Lehigh as head coach, whereas additionally having stints as an assistant with Penn, Lehigh and Notre Dame.
His son, Connor, spent six years with this system and at present serves as an assistant on Butler’s males’s basketball employees, and Connor has dated Fever — and one-time Iowa — star Caitlin Clark for almost two years.
