More than 20 years of leadership that turned Iowa women’s basketball into a national force came to an end when Lisa Bluder announced her retirement in May 2024. Bluder left the sidelines with dignity, pride, and a legacy that will reverberate throughout Carver-Hawkeye Arena for years to come at the age of 63—far from what most would consider “old news.”
Bluder made her choice after careful consideration, not because she was exhausted but rather because she was aware of the amazing state of the program she assisted in creating. At a time when the Hawkeyes were among the best in the country, she decided to hand off the reins after 24 seasons at the University of Iowa and 40 years as a collegiate head coach overall.
Stepping down was bittersweet, Bluder wrote in a heartfelt letter to “Hawkeye Nation.” She thanked her players, staff, administrators, and most importantly, the fans who filled the stands and made Iowa home court one of the loudest in the sport. She also acknowledged the innumerable practices, road trips, and heartwarming and triumphant moments that shaped her career.
She wrote, “This program has meant everything to me for nearly a quarter of a century,” expressing a sentiment that anyone who has experienced a Hawkeye season can relate to. Bluder was at the heart of this team’s emotional investment, which ranged from the thrill of winning Big Ten titles to the stress of late tournament nights.
She had nothing left to offer, so she didn’t leave. It was actually the exact opposite. Bluder was aware of the impending revenue-sharing talks, the transfer portal, and NIL opportunities in the realm of collegiate athletics. She just thought that someone who had been a part of the program’s fabric for years should be given the reins.
With an amazing 884-396 overall record and a 528-254 Black & Gold record, she is the most successful coach in Big Ten history at Iowa. The Hawkeyes made 22 postseason trips under her direction, including 18 NCAA Tournament berths, five Big Ten Tournament titles, and two trips to the NCAA National Championship Game. Without her steady hand, those accomplishments would not have been possible.
Bluder’s influence extended beyond victories and defeats. The Hawkeyes won numerous National Player of the Year and All-American awards as a result of her guidance of players to national recognition. Not only were her teams excellent, but they were also consistently disciplined, competitive, and distinctly Iowa.
Consider Caitlin Clark. Under Bluder’s guidance, Clark flourished and became one of the most famous players in women’s college basketball history. Bluder’s unwavering leadership and faith in her players laid the groundwork for the program’s success, even though Clark’s personal fame brought it fresh national attention. Many Hawkeyes recall Bluder not only as a coach but also as a mentor who encouraged them to improve both on and off the court.
The changeover after her announcement was quick and methodical. Bluder’s longtime associate head coach and right-hand for over 20 years, Jan Jensen, was named her replacement. Jensen had been a part of the team’s inner workings for 24 years, shared its culture, and contributed to the development of the very identity that made Iowa such a force, so that appointment made perfect sense.
Bluder herself made it apparent that she would not be going away. She promised to do everything in her power to help Jensen and the team. Retirement was about loving the game in a new role, away from the daily grind of practice plans and game preparations, for a coach as passionate as Bluder.
She also didn’t give up basketball for very long. Bluder took on a new challenge in 2025 when she joined the NBC and Peacock broadcast team as an analyst, contributing her knowledge and enthusiasm to women’s college basketball from the studio. She can stay close to the sport she loves and provide a seasoned voice to fans across the country in this kind of role.
That’s the ideal next chapter for a lot of Hawkeyes. The thousands of memories Bluder helped create, the young women she mentored, and the community she helped build make up her legacy, which goes beyond a record or a list of accomplishments. She leaves behind a program that is well-positioned for future success as well as a standard of excellence that players and coaches will work hard to maintain.
Even though Lisa Bluder is retired from coaching at the age of 63, she is still very much in the news. Every time the Hawkeyes play, her legendary influence will be felt. Additionally, there is a quiet assurance that Bluder’s foundation will remain strong, proud, and prepared for the next chapter as fans get used to another season under new leadership.
