Coaches are not only a part of the team to train the players. In fact, their presence can have a deep and lasting impact on their students. One place that certainly welcomes such coaches who focus on creating relationships with their players is the University of Iowa. After Lisa Bluder left the throne, Jan Jensen got the reins of the Hawkeyes. Now, under her recruitment, another coach who is guiding the players with love is Raina Harmon who even Gabbie Marshall and Kate Martin idolize.

Recently, Gabbie Marshall shared a few praises for Harmon as she became the assistant coach for the Hawkeyes. In a tweet where she shared Chad Leistikow’s article, she wrote, “The most genuine person with the most infectious personality. You are truly one of a kind and I’m so blessed to have you in my life forever.” She also followed the caption with a white heart emoji.

Apart from Iowa’s former No. 24, Kate Martin of the Las Vegas Aces also expressed her feelings for Harmon. The Aces rookie told Leistikow, “When I think of the kind of coach I want to be or the impact I want to have one day, I definitely think of her.”

Jan Jensen was an assistant coach under Bluder for 24 years at Iowa. “Nobody loves this place like I do,” she said, taking over the 2019 Naismith College Coach of the Year. The Iowa athletics director, Beth Goetz was more than happy to have her embrace the role. “Jan models daily what it means have a tireless work ethic, to lead with compassion and fiery passion and to be confident in who you are,” she said.

While Kate Martin is currently finding her way through the WNBA, she is also a part of the WBCA’s program. Following her father’s footsteps and the teachings of her own coaches, she hopes to become a spectacular coach one day. Gabbie Marshall, on the other end, was left off the 2024 WNBA draft and will now be forging her own path. As for the U of I, a lot has changed since this year.

Meeting the next generation of the Hawkeyes

Caitlin Clark was undeniably a name that will continue to echo through the halls of the Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Kate Martin too has found a new home in the 2x back-to-back WNBA champions. While their former teammate Gabbie Marshall will have to find new ways to stay connected to the sport, the 2024 graduates certainly changed the look of college basketball. Now, as they move forward, the new ones are already in place to mark their spots in Iowa.

Lisa Bluder retired to give the former associate head coach Jan Jensen her throne. Under her recruitment, she has introduced two new assistant coaches. These are Randi Henderson and Sean Sullivan. The latter is also the team’s general manager. As for the roster, the team has welcomed the transferring point guard Lucy Olsen.

Apart from her, the new Hawkeyes class will also feature Ava Heiden, Taylor Stremlow, Teagan Mallegni, Aaliyah Guyton, and Callie Levin. Certainly, Jan Jensen is on her way to continue the winning ways of Iowa that Lisa Bluder, Caitlin Clark, and the others left them with. “we’re certainly not going to abandon a formula that’s worked so well for us,” was Jensen’s admission as she took the reins.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.