Lisa Bluder, Iowa’s women’s basketball head coach for 24 unforgettable years, has officially hung up her coaching hat. But what truly set her apart wasn’t just the championships or the accolades—it was how she made her players feel seen and supported, especially when they faced constant injuries like Kate Martin. Along with a legacy, she’s leaving behind a team that felt truly cared for.

Just ask Caitlin Clark and her teammates, who recently shared a heartfelt memory. The alumni, still tight with their coach, recalled one game when Kate Martin took a hit that left her nose bloodied. Clark recalled how the HC was all heart.

“That was one thing about college, like if Kate gets hurt, the coaches were like tweaking out,” she said. Host and current Iowa star, Jada Gyamfi added, “Remember when you hurt your knee that one time, I thought coach Bluder was going to actually take her head off and set it down.”

Then, all laughed over Bluder’s “cute” but fierce protectiveness, revealing how she rushed onto the court for all her players. CC also admitted her frustration every time Martin got hurt on  Gyamfi’s Fresh Tawk podcast. 

Well, she isn’t wrong; Kate Martin faced several face injuries, with her nose breaking three times during her Iowa career. It started in 2021 when she was hit during a game against Illinois, causing her to wear a protective mask. A few weeks later, another accident in practice had her nose broken again. Later, she suffered another break, this time from an accidental elbow, making her face mask almost a regular accessory.

Hence, “I was just mad she kept getting hit in the face. I wasn’t mad at her,” Clark clarifies. But the guard showed patience as she had to adapt her playstyle and vision to cope with the mask each time. Through it all, the now-retired coach stood with her. Because of incidents like these, that caring touch became Bluder’s hallmark.

Lisa Bluder’s caring leadership shaped Iowa and Caitlin Clark

Bluder’s career has been filled with these kinds of moments. She arrived in 2000, bringing professionalism and a reputation for caring deeply about her players. Her emphasis on building strong team bonds elevated Iowa to a regular tournament team.

For example, in 2015, Iowa reached the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in over a decade. Despite losing NPOY Megan Gustafson, the 63-year-old kept the program competitive. 

Then, Caitlin Clark committed to Iowa, and boldly declared she would take Iowa back to the Final Four—something that had seemed nearly impossible. Clark helped push Iowa to two national championship games, and Bluder’s empathetic coaching style kept the team motivated and unified, even in high-pressure games. 

And despite the national spotlight, she did a great job keeping the team grounded. Players, now and in the past, have often said she made them feel like family. After a remarkable 40 seasons, she has retired, and her shoes have been filled by the longtime assistant Jan Jensen. 

On her retirement, Clark wrote on X, “Simply no one better at building a team. Thank you for believing in me more than anyone. Enjoy retirement, coach. Very much deserved.” Jensen already has the players’ trust and a nod from alumni, let us see what’s next for the Hawkeyes!