After leading Iowa women's basketball to a 23-11 campaign and 10-8 record in the Big Ten, Hawkeyes' head coach Jan Jensen has been named the winner of the 2025 Spalding Maggie Dixon NCAA Division I Rookie Coach of the Year Award by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).
The award honors a WBCA member NCAA Division I head coach who has led their team to a successful season during their first year on the sideline. It is named in honor of the late Maggie Dixon, who in her inaugural season as the Army head coach, led the Black Knights to the 2006 Patriot League title and their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship tournament. Dixon, 29, died of an undiagnosed heart condition just weeks after on April 6, 2006.
“Success in your first year as an NCAA Division I head coach is generally a difficult feat. When a new Division I head coach demonstrates a mastery of managing all aspects of a program, as well as producing success in competition, our coaching family pays respectful attention. The WBCA is proud to announce Jan Jensen as the winner of the 2025 Spalding Maggie Dixon NCAA Division I Rookie Coach of the Year award,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “Jan led Iowa to a remarkable season. We celebrate her effort and effectiveness on the basketball court as a teacher and equally applaud the extensive role she plays in impacting the lives of her student-athletes.”
National Rookie Coach of the Year 🤩@goiowa x @WBCA1981#Hawkeyespic.twitter.com/aSiZaqzEBd
— Iowa Women's Basketball (@IowaWBB) April 2, 2025
“Spalding is honored to recognize Jan Jensen as the 2025 Spalding Maggie Dixon NCAA Division I Rookie Coach of the Year, together with the WBCA” said Brian Collins, Spalding VP. “This award is a symbol of inspirational leadership and the positive influence sports can have on individuals, teams, and communities, which Jan has embodied in her first season. We want to congratulate Jan on the commitment to excellence shown at the University of Iowa and look forward to watching her continued impact on student-athletes on and off the court.”
Although the No. 6 seed Hawkeyes were eliminated in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament by No. 3 seed Oklahoma, Jensen was able to ignite the program following a midseason five-game losing streak into one of the nation's hottest teams to end the regular season.
With the award, Jensen will look to build off her success next season as the Hawkeyes bring in another talented freshman class highlighted by five-star combo guard Addie Deal.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa women's basketball's Jan Jensen recognized as top rookie coach
