Iowa is reportedly set to dismiss head coach Fran McCaffery after an extensive 15-year tenure, according to sources cited by ESPN on Friday. An official announcement regarding this decision could come as early as this afternoon, marking a significant change in the program's leadership.
During his time at Iowa, McCaffery amassed an impressive total of 297 wins, making him the school's all-time wins leader. His coaching journey came to an abrupt end following the Hawkeyes' disappointing loss to Illinois, where they fell 106-94 in the second round of the Big Ten tournament. This defeat was particularly notable as McCaffery was ejected during the game after receiving two technical fouls for arguing with officials.
The 2023 season concluded with an overall record of 17-16 and a conference record of 7-13 in the Big Ten. Initially, there was a sense of optimism as the team started strong with a 12-4 record, which included a remarkable 25-point victory over Indiana on January 11. However, the season took a downturn as the Hawkeyes lost 11 of their next 14 games, leading to a disappointing conclusion.
Throughout Fran McCaffery's 15 seasons, he led the Iowa Hawkeyes to seven NCAA tournament appearances. The team advanced to the second round on four occasions but fell short of reaching the coveted Sweet 16. Known for his ability to develop strong offensive teams, McCaffery's squads consistently ranked in the top 20 for adjusted offensive efficiency over the last eight seasons.
Under McCaffery's guidance, Iowa has produced four players selected in the NBA draft since 2021. Notable among these are first-round picks Keegan Murray and Kris Murray, who were drafted in back-to-back years in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Additionally, former Hawkeye Luka Garza, a two-time first-team All-American and the 2021 Wooden Award winner, has also made a significant impact in the professional league.
Despite the success of reaching four consecutive NCAA tournaments from 2019 to 2023, Iowa struggled significantly in the last two seasons. The Hawkeyes missed the NCAA tournament last year, finishing with a record of 19-15 and a 10-10 mark in league play. Overall, Fran McCaffery leaves the program with a record of 297-207, a testament to his lengthy and impactful career at Iowa.
