Lisa Bluder, who coached the Iowa women’s basketball team in the last two NCAA championship games, is retiring after 24 years leading the Hawkeyes.
Bluder made the announcement Monday, five weeks after Iowa lost to South Carolina in the national title game and superstar Caitlin Clark ended her college career.
“There’s no denying that last season was incredible for so many reasons, and we couldn’t have achieved our accomplishments without all of you,” she said. “After the season ended, I spent time with our student-athletes and coaches reviewing the season and preparing those moving forward for what comes next.
“With this also came personal contemplation about what this journey has meant to me, how to best advocate for this program, and what the future will look like for me and my family. After spending some time with my husband, David, it’s clear to me that I’m ready to step away.”
Bluder was 528-254 at Iowa, including 65-12 the last two years with Clark leading the way, and 716-359 including his 10 seasons at Drake.
