Caitlin Clark Had Perfect Joke About Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder's Retirement

Karl Rasmussen | May 14, 2024

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark (22) talks to coach Lisa Bluder / Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen /

The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball program is going to look plenty different next season amid multiple players departing both for graduation and the WNBA, as well as the retirement of coach Lisa Bluder, which was announced on Monday.

Former Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark was asked on Tuesday about the retirement of Bluder, her longtime college coach, and she responded with the perfect quip.

"She probably put a lot of thought into it, in making this decision, so I couldn't be more happy for her," Clark said. "I mean, I probably took a couple of years off her career, for having to coach me for four, but I think the program is going to be in a really good place with [Jan Jensen] coming in."

Caitlin Clark on her reaction to Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder retiring — “I probably took off a couple years off of her career” — and her endorsement of Jan Jensen: pic.twitter.com/o4VVbsw7I0

— Chloe Peterson (@chloepeterson67) May 14, 2024

In addition to Clark and Bluder, the Hawkeyes also lost the likes of Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall and Sharon Goodman. Clark expressed no doubts that the team would return to its winning ways under its new leadership.

Clark addressed Bluder's retirement ahead of her WNBA debut, which is set for 7:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday. Clark was the No. 1 pick in the draft, selected by the Indiana Fever, who will tip their season off on the road against the Connecticut Sun.