Insider Reveals Caitlin Clark’s Close Associate Set to Break Iowa Ties as Boyfriend Connor McCaffery Already Following His Own Path

Fran McCaffery’s departure from Iowa comes after a tough stretch for the Hawkeyes. Earlier this month, he was dismissed following a second consecutive season without an NCAA tournament berth. Despite the disappointing end, McCaffery exits as the winningest coach in program history, amassing 297 total victories. The news of his firing sent ripples through the Iowa basketball community, prompting an outpouring of support from former players.

Luka Garza, a former college standout and current Minnesota Timberwolves bench boss, paid tribute to McCaffery on social media—a message that Clark herself retweeted. “Thank you Coach for changing my life, and the lives of so many others,” Garza wrote. “You believed in a way that not many others did. Choosing to play in the black and gold was the best decision I have ever made for a lot of reasons, but mainly because I was able to be coached by you.”

Although the elder McCaffery had hinted, “I’m going to be coaching somewhere next year,” on the Betting Above The Rim podcast, the real destination remained a mystery—until now. The latest report, however, reveals that at 66, he’s secured a return to his alma mater.

According to a recent post on X by college basketball insider Sam Federman, “BREAKING: Penn is nearing a deal with former Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery. A deal is ‘imminent,’ multiple sources told me.” Fran is a 1982 Wharton graduate. After 15 seasons leading the Hawkeyes and previous stops at Lehigh, UNC Greensboro, and Siena, he brings a wealth of experience, including 12 NCAA tournament appearances—the most of any Ivy League coach at the time of hiring.

Iowa wrapped up their season on March 13, losing to Illinois 106-94 in the second round of the Big Ten tournament. Fran, known for his fiery personality, was ejected in the second half after he was assessed for two technical fouls for arguing with the officials. He had joined Iwoa before the 2011 season, leaving Siena. The Hawkeyes made seven NCAA tournaments under his guidance. His best stint came in the year 2021 when Iowa was 22-9 and was consistently present in the AP top 10.

On the flip side, during his time, Iowa made it to the second round four times but never advanced to the Sweet 16. However, Fran made Iowa an offensive powerhouse, making them rank in the top 20 in adjusted offensive efficiency for the last eight seasons. Despite all this, Iwoa struggled in the past two seasons. Last season, they missed the NCAA tournament. This season looked optimistic after a 12-4 start. But they dropped 11 of their last 15 games, and the hope extinguished.

$81Bn Worth Co. Agrees to Caitlin Clark’s Demand After Urgent Plea to Ex-Iowa Teammate Kate Martin

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In Penn State, Fran will replace Steve Donahue after the program went 8-19 this year. His vision is to build a program rather than constantly rebuilding through the transfer portal. “I want to have relationships with my guys… an administration that works closely with me,” McCaffery said, emphasizing his desire for stability, character-driven recruiting, and a fan base that fuels the program. And now, it seems that Penn State is the place for him. But it won’t be easy.

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Fran McCaffery’s move to Penn: A fresh start or a farewell to Iowa’s golden era?

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The program has managed just 3 conference title through the tenure of its last 3 coaches, with the last tourney appearance being in 2018. Moreover, star guards Sam Brown and AJ Levine have already entered the transfer portal. While Fran enters a new chapter of his coaching career, his son and Caitlin Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, is carving his own path elsewhere.

In May, 2023, Connor landed his first coaching gig with the NBA’s Indiana Pacers as a team assistant. “It’s a way in. It’s an entry-level job. You’ve got to work hard and work your way up. That’s obviously what I want to do,” he had said back then about the stint. “I’ll play dummy defense, run the scout team, help coaches on film stuff, help on video projects if they need, scouting reports if they need. It’s kind of all-hands on deck, whatever you’re asked to do, be ready to do it,” he had further added. Surely, he worked hard. So last year he secured his next coaching venture.

In September 2024, Connor joined Butler men’s basketball program with coach Thad Matta as an assistant. While the McCafferys build their fortune away from Iowa, Caitlin Clark is keeping close to the program.

Caitlin Clark stays connected: From courtside to virtual support

Although Caitlin Clark has moved on to the WNBA, her connection to NCAA women’s basketball remains unshakable. She hasn’t been on the Iowa sidelines since February, but that hasn’t stopped her from staying involved in the game’s biggest moments.

She returned to Iowa City on February 25 to witness the Hawkeyes’ dominant 101-85 win and was back again on March 6 when they took down Michigan State, 74-61—a game that saw coach Jan Jensen pick up a fiery technical foul. After USC star JuJu Watkins suffered a heartbreaking, season-ending ACL injury in the second round against Mississippi State, Clark was quick to offer her support.

“Sending all my thoughts and prayers to JuJu,” she wrote on X. “Kid will come back stronger than ever.” Watkins, a fellow first-team All-American, was one of the brightest stars in college hoops, making her injury a major blow to the sport. Even from afar, Clark remains a force in college basketball, proving that some ties are never truly broken.