Iowa Coach Jan Jensen Conveys Caitlin Clark's Impact Exceeds Any Critics
Indiana Fever sensation Caitlin Clark has been at the receiving end of multiple impressive honors and accolades during the month of December.
This started with her being named the Time Athlete of the Year for 2024 earlier this month and continued on Wednesday, when it was announced that her alma mater Iowa Hawkeyes would be retiring her No. 22 jersey on February 2, 2025.
There's no doubt Clark is more than deserving of these honors (despite what some may say). And Clark's former assistant coach at Iowa Jan Jensen, who assumed head coaching duties after Lisa Bluder retired, spoke candidly about Clark's lasting impact on Thursday.
"I think Caitlin's impact will not just be on this year's [team], but most every year to come," Jensen said, per Hawkeye HQ's Blake Hornstein. "I think I've used that Michael Jordan analogy with North Carolina, right? I think he will always be part of the lore... I think Caitlin is similar in that impact.
"I think she's amazing in what she continues to handle, with all that she's done and succeeded. The way that kid can manage and shine far exceeds anything that her critics can throw at her," Jensen continued.
"She changed the game, she moved the needle... I think she is so deserving. I mean, that Time magazine Athlete of the Year, it's monumental, right?"
In light of Caitlin winning Time AOTY and the announcement of her jersey retirement I asked Jan Jensen what her impact has been on this year's team:
— Blake Hornstein (@BlakeHornTV) December 19, 2024
"I think I've used that Michael Jordan analogy with North Carolina... you will always be part of the lore..." pic.twitter.com/RDeJbguOtD
While it remains to be seen whether the Hawkeyes can compete for a National Championship without Clark, the program will continue to benefit from her impact for years to come.
Grant Young covers Women’s Basketball, the New York Yankees, and the New York Mets for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco (USF), where he also graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and played on USF’s Division I baseball team for five years. However, he now prefers Angel Reese to Angels in the Outfield.