Iowa reportedly fires men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery after 15 seasons
One of the longest tenured active coaches in major men’s college basketball is now out of a job.
Iowa has fired coach Fran McCaffery after 15 seasons at the school, according to multiple reports Friday.
The decision came the day after the Hawkeyes fell to Illinois 106-94 in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament, a loss that dropped them to 17-16 on the season. Iowa lost 12 of its final 17 games after a 12-4 start.
The Hawkeyes, who finished 15th of 18 Big Ten teams after being picked 10th in the league’s preseason poll, played their final 12 games without leading scorer and rebounder Owen Freeman, who underwent season-ending finger surgery in early February.
McCaffery is the program’s all-time wins leader, with a 297-207 record over the course of his time with Iowa. He’s 548-384 in his career as a Division I head coach, which included previous stops at Siena, UNC Greensboro and Lehigh.
His teams regularly excelled offensively, finishing in the top 20 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency, according to KenPom. They struggled defensively in his final years, however, never finishing higher than 157th in Division I in adjusted defensive efficiency.
The 65-year-old McCaffery led the Hawkeyes to the NCAA Tournament in seven of the final 11 seasons of his tenure in which the tournament was held, but never advanced past the second round. Those tournament shortcomings most notably included a second-round loss to Oregon in 2021 as a No. 2 seed with national player of the year Luka Garza.
This will mark the second consecutive season that Iowa missed the NCAA Tournament and failed to win at least 20 games.
Following the Hawkeyes’ Big Ten Tournament loss Thursday — a game in which the famously hot-tempered McCaffery was ejected with 13 minutes remaining — McCaffery said in a news conference that he expected to be Iowa’s coach next season and beyond.
The Hawkeyes become the third Big Ten program with a coaching vacancy, joining Indiana and Minnesota.
Behind future NBA players like Garza and brothers Keegan and Kris Murray, McCaffery’s teams regularly excelled offensively, finishing in the top 20 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency in each of the past eight seasons, according to KenPom. They struggled on the other end of the floor in his final years, however, never finishing higher than 157th in Division I in adjusted defensive efficiency.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iowa fires men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery after 15 seasons: Reports
Topics
-
Iowa dismisses coach McCaffery after 15 seasons
Iowa's men's basketball program dismissed McCaffery after 15 seasons as coach of the Hawkeyes, the school announced Friday.ESPN - 32m -
Fran McCaffery reportedly out at Iowa after 15 seasons
The Hawkeyes largely fell apart in the Big Ten this season in what was one of the worst in the Fran McCaffery era.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Iowa fires Fran McCaffery: Longtime coach out after Hawkeyes miss NCAA Tournament for second straight season
Iowa finished 12th in the Big Ten in the regular season, the worst during the 15-year McCaffery eraCBS Sports - 5h -
Iowa basketball coaching candidates: 8 names who could replace Fran McCaffery
After Iowa fired Fran McCaffery, here's a look at eight candidates the Hawkeyes could hire as their next basketball coach, including Drake's Ben McCollum.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
How social media reacted to Iowa basketball firing Fran McCaffery
Here's how Iowa basketball fans reacted across social media to the news that the Hawkeyes had fired head coach Fran McCaffery.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
Hawkeyes' worst season in 7 years prompts firing of Fran McCaffery, program's all-time wins leader
Iowa fired coach Fran McCaffery on Friday after the Hawkeyes won their fewest games and had their lowest Big Ten regular-season finish in seven years. The 65-year-old McCaffery, who was under ...Yahoo Sports - 4h -
Initial Iowa basketball head coach candidates list
Fran McCaffery is out as Iowa head men's basketball coach. Who is next? Check out an initial list of potential head coach candidates.Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Minnesota fires men's basketball coach Ben Johnson after 4 seasons with 56-71 record
Minnesota fires men's basketball coach Ben Johnson after 4 seasons with 56-71 recordABC News - 1d -
Iowa coach Fran McCaffery ejected during Big Ten Tournament game against No. 24 Illinois
Iowa coach Fran McCaffery was ejected after drawing two technical fouls midway through the second half of a Big Ten Tournament second-round game against No. 24 Illinois on Thursday night. As the ...Yahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
The Players Championship third round tee times, how to watch: Akshay Bhatia, Min Woo Lee share lead at TPC Sawgrass
Akshay Bhatia and Min Woo Lee hold a one-shot lead entering moving day in Florida.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Fantasy Fallout: Cooper Kupp signs with the Seattle Seahawks
Cooper Kupp is looking to revive his career in Seattle, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba's dominance from the slot could be an issue for the veteran receiver.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
2025 Players Championship Saturday third round tee times, how to watch
Here's what you need to know about the TV and streaming information as well as the tee times for the third round of the Players. All times ET.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC Kansas City main event
Former title challengers Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree will throw down in a pivotal light heavyweight clash. Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree preview Former champion Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) ...Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree: Odds and what to know ahead of UFC Kansas City main event
Former title challengers Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree will throw down in a pivotal light heavyweight clash. Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree preview Former champion Hill (12-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) ...Yahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
Team-by-team preview: Can Orlando Pride repeat as champions?
With the National Women's Soccer League returning to action this weekend, we take a look at where the 14 clubs stands and how close each is to winning the NWSL championship.ESPN - 12m -
The Players Championship third round tee times, how to watch: Akshay Bhatia, Min Woo Lee share lead at TPC Sawgrass
Akshay Bhatia and Min Woo Lee hold a one-shot lead entering moving day in Florida.Yahoo Sports - 13m -
Fantasy Fallout: Cooper Kupp signs with the Seattle Seahawks
Cooper Kupp is looking to revive his career in Seattle, but Jaxon Smith-Njigba's dominance from the slot could be an issue for the veteran receiver.Yahoo Sports - 15m -
Why Geovany Quenda can be Chelsea's answer to Saka
Chelsea look set to land the Sporting CP teen in 2026 and Quenda's style has been compared to an Arsenal star.ESPN - 16m -
Transfer rumors, news: Newcastle eye Kolo Muani as replacement for Isak
Newcastle are interested in Juventus striker Randal Kolo Muani, but could face competition from other Premier League clubs. Transfer Talk has the latest news, gossip and rumors.ESPN - 16m