Caitlin Clark, the star guard for the Indiana Fever, has a special connection to the University of Iowa, a place that will always hold significant meaning for her. During her time with the Iowa Hawkeyes, Clark helped lead the team to back-to-back championships and etched her name in NCAA history by becoming the all-time leading scorer in Division I, amassing an impressive 3,951 points. Just last month, Clark returned to the Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where the university honored her legacy by retiring her iconic No. 22 jersey. It was also at Iowa where she met her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, who played for the men’s basketball team for six years under the coaching of his father, Fran McCaffery.
However, following a challenging season where the Iowa men’s basketball team finished with a 17-16 record and missed the NCAA tournament for the second year in a row, Fran McCaffery’s tenure as head coach came to an end. Despite this setback, Fran McCaffery didn’t stay unemployed for long. On March 27, 2025, the University of Pennsylvania, his alma mater, confirmed that they had hired him as the new head coach of their men’s basketball team. Fran had previously made his mark at Penn, leading the Ivy League in assists and steals during his senior year in 1981-82.
Caitlin Clark shared her support for her boyfriend’s father’s new position by liking a post from the University of Pennsylvania’s basketball team on Instagram, announcing the coaching change. Fran’s son, Connor McCaffery, who is currently an assistant coach for Butler’s men’s basketball team, also showed his support by liking the same post. In response to his hiring, Fran McCaffery expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I am excited and honored to return to my alma mater and the city of Philadelphia to lead the Penn men’s basketball program.” Fran’s return to his roots marks a new chapter in his career and a fresh challenge at Penn.
As Fran prepares to make the move to the East Coast to begin his new role, Caitlin Clark is busy with her own upcoming commitments. She is set to travel to Palm Beach, Florida, where she will participate in the annual NFL owners’ meeting. This exciting event will include a panel discussion on the growing interest in women’s sports and flag football, a topic that has garnered increasing attention ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. Clark will be joined on the panel by notable figures such as tennis legend Serena Williams, former NFL quarterback Eli Manning, and Mellody Hobson, the co-owner of the Denver Broncos.
Caitlin’s remarkable journey continues as she balances her rising career with personal milestones. Whether it’s supporting her boyfriend’s family through a new professional chapter or making her mark on the national sports scene, Clark’s influence extends far beyond the basketball court. With each new achievement, she further solidifies her place as one of the most influential figures in sports today.
