The Fran McCaffery era in Iowa City has come to an end after 15 seasons with the program. The Hawkeyes are parting ways with their longtime coach following a disappointing season. Although McCaffery led the team to the NCAA tournament seven times, they never advanced past the first weekend under his leadership. Despite being a No. 2 seed in 2021, the team was eliminated in the second round by Oregon.
This past season was challenging for the Hawkeyes, who struggled with a 16-15 record and faced difficulties in the Big Ten tournament. After losing five of their last seven regular season games, they managed to secure a spot in the tournament by defeating Nebraska. Although they upset Ohio State in the first round, they were defeated by Illinois in the second round, during which McCaffery was ejected for arguing with officials.
McCaffery, with an overall record of 297-206 during his tenure, is most notably recognized for his passionate sideline demeanor. His contract with Iowa runs through the 2027-28 season and includes a $4.2 million buyout. The team will be seeking a new coach to lead them to deeper tournament success.
Despite the upcoming recruiting class, it remains uncertain if the recruits will stay with the program under new leadership. The Hawkeyes are now searching for a new coach to guide them to greater achievements in the future.
