Iowa parts ways with Fran McCaffery

Field Level Media|published: 03/14/2025, 4:43pm EDT

Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery watches the action Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in a first round game at the 2025 TIAA Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Ohio State Buckeyes at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Iowa dismissed men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery after 15 seasons on Friday.

The university's all-time leader in wins (297), McCaffery guided the Hawkeyes to seven NCAA Tournament appearances. Unfortunately for McCaffery's teams, they failed to reach the Sweet 16.

This season was not a banner one for McCaffery, whose team finished with a 17-16 record after a 106-94 setback to Illinois on Thursday in the second round of the Big Ten tournament. McCaffery was ejected in the second half of that game after being assessed two technical fouls for arguing with the officials, leading to Illinois making four free throws.

Per the university, Iowa will begin a national search for a new head coach immediately.

"Fran McCaffery has been an integral part of our Hawkeye family for the past 15 years. He is a tremendous coach and teacher, and we are grateful for the positive impact he has made on the institution and the community," Hawkeyes athletic director Beth Goetz said. "We have a deep appreciation for his dedication to our student-athletes and his passion for the game that will have a lasting impact on our program."

McCaffery, 65, became the winningest coach in Iowa history after the Hawkeyes pulled away for an 86-77 victory over host Minnesota on Jan. 15, 2024.

McCaffery, who took the helm for Iowa in 2010, won his 272nd game with the program. He surpassed longtime coach Tom Davis, who won 271 games from 1986-99.

McCaffery owns a 297-207 overall head coaching record with Lehigh (1985-88), UNC Greensboro (1999-2005), Siena (2005-10) and Iowa.

--Field Level Media