Lisa Bruder, who coached the Iowa State women's basketball team to the past two NCAA championship games, announced Monday that she is retiring after 24 years leading the Hawkeyes. Her successor was her long-time assistant, Jan Jensen.
Bruder made the announcement five weeks after Iowa State lost to South Carolina in the national title game and superstar Caitlin Clark ended her college career.
“There's no denying that this past season was great for so many reasons, and we couldn't have accomplished what we did without you,” Bruder wrote in an open letter to fans. Ta. “After the season, I spent time with the student-athletes and coaches to reflect on the season and prepare for the next one.
“This has led to some personal reflection on what this journey means to me, how I can best advance this program, and what the future holds for my family and me. Then, after some time off with my husband David, it became clear that I was ready to step back.”
Bruder, 63, retires as the Big Ten's all-time coaching wins leader with a 528-254 record at Iowa State, including 65-12 the past two years under Clark. Including his 10 seasons at Drake, he had a record of 716 wins and 359 losses.
“No one is better at building a team,” Clark wrote to X. “Thank you for believing in me more than anyone else. Enjoy your retirement, Coach. It's very much deserved.”
Jensen, 55, served as an associate head coach under Bruder for 20 years and was with him for a total of 24 games at Iowa and eight total games at Drake. Jensen is a beloved figure in the Hawkeye State. She was one of the all-time leading scorers in 6-on-6 basketball at Elk Horn Kimballton and was a Drake All-America in Des Moines. She spent her entire coaching career in the state.
“There is no one better suited to lead this program than Jan Jensen, and I am excited that she will have the opportunity to build on the foundation that has been established,” Bruder said. “I am dedicated to assisting her and her staff in any capacity necessary to move forward.”
Jensen, who played his senior season at Drake with Bruder as his coach, said he is excited to begin his first head coaching job.
“I'm so happy to have had such a great ride with Lisa,” Jensen said. “That journey started when I was her player and continued for 33 years as I had the privilege of working with her. I can't thank you enough for Lisa's guidance, leadership, and most of all her friendship. I'm so proud of everything we accomplished and so grateful for all the memories we made.”
The Hawkeyes won two Big Ten regular season championships, five conference tournament championships and appeared in the NCAA Tournament 18 times under Bruder, with just one losing season.
Clark's arrival, with Jensen being Iowa State's primary recruiter, elevated the program and played a major role in raising the profile of the women's game in the United States with her dynamic offensive game.
Clark became the NCAA Division I career scoring leader for both men and women, dazzling fans with his long-range 3-point shooting and accurate passing, and set numerous other records. She started every game from 2020-24, and Iowa went 109-30. She was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever and will play her first regular-season game Tuesday at Connecticut.
Bruder's 2023 team was the first in Iowa to reach the Final Four and championship game, and with Clark and the veteran supporting cast returning, the Hawkeyes repeated that feat last season. They fell just short in both, losing to LSU in 2023 and South Carolina last month.
Kate Martin, who spent the past six seasons at Iowa and is now with the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces, said she was shocked to hear Bruder was retiring. Martin found out during a scheduled media interview with Ace.
“She's been coaching at Iowa for as long as I've been alive,” Martin said. And, you know, it's family time and relaxation. ”
Martin added with a laugh. She will be missed. She is one of the greatest people of all time. ”
