Startling Upheaval in Iowa Women’s Basketball Coach Jan Jensen Reveals His Hidden Plan to Replace Caitlin Clark In Iowa City, a subdued yet potent storm is building. The entire collegiate basketball community is keeping a close eye on the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team as they embark on a new chapter. In addition to leaving a hole in the roster, Caitlin Clark’s departure to the WNBA also severely damaged the program’s reputation, which was built around her once-in-a-generation talent. Now that longtime assistant Jan Jensen is taking over as head coach, Iowa is at the beginning of an intriguing change.
It’s not just a basketball problem to replace Caitlin Clark; it’s also an emotional one. Clark was an inspiration as well as a leader. Iowa became a national sensation thanks to her vivacity, style, and performances that broke records. Jensen, who worked alongside Lisa Bluder for years to help recruit and develop Clark, is well aware of what has been lost. However, Jensen’s vision—the “secret blueprint,” as insiders refer to it—focuses on something more sustainable: balance, culture, and team-wide empowerment, rather than chasing another superstar to duplicate Clark’s genius.
Rebalancing the offense is her first significant move. For many years, Clark was in charge of Iowa’s strategy; every play and possession seemed to revolve around her. Jensen wishes to alter that. She is creating a system in which everyone participates, decision-making is shared, and scoring is distributed. She is concentrating on building a flexible roster—players who can shoot, pass, and defend with equal urgency—instead of depending on a single dominant shooter. It’s more about redistributing power than it is about replacing Clark’s arguments.
Lucy Olsen, a Villanova transfer, is one name that is already attracting interest. Although no one could ever fully replace Clark, she does bring her own unique spark, including a strong midrange game, innate court vision, and the leadership instincts that can help usher in a new era. Jensen’s approach appears to be straightforward: give players a platform, empower a variety of voices, and create an environment where everyone takes pride in the court. That represents a significant departure from a star-centered approach, but it’s the kind of change that might eventually keep Iowa competitive.
Jensen’s emphasis on culture is arguably the most distinctive aspect of her strategy. She has witnessed what occurs when a team is formed around a single exceptional player; it can be enchanted for a while, but when that player leaves, it can leave a void. Making something that endures is Jensen’s goal. She is hiring athletes not only for their skill but also for their fit—their heart, tenacity, and capacity to perform well in a team-oriented setting. “We can honor Caitlin’s legacy and still grow our own story,” she has stated in interviews.
The outcomes thus far speak for themselves. In her first season, Jensen guided the Hawkeyes to a 23–11 record and a spot in the NCAA tournament, which was a remarkable accomplishment during a year of transition that could have gone badly. In recognition of her steady hand and forward-thinking style, she was even named the 2025 Maggie Dixon Rookie Coach of the Year. Carver-Hawkeye Arena’s high ticket renewal rate is evidence that her fans still have faith in what she’s creating.
There are still many obstacles to overcome. Comparisons to the Clark era are unavoidable, and fan expectations are extremely high. The players who once flourished under Clark’s tutelage now have to find their own rhythm, and recruiting without a headline star is no easy feat. But Jan Jensen is the one who knows the fine line between tradition and advancement. What’s taking place in Iowa is a philosophical overhaul rather than merely a coaching change. Finding “the next Caitlin Clark” is not Jensen’s goal. Her goal is to build Iowa’s next great team. By doing this, she is demonstrating that women’s basketball greatness can emerge from the combined strength of numerous players rather than being centered around a single star. Hawkeyes won’t merely survive the post-Clark era if she is successful. What follows will be determined by them.
