Jenni Fitzgerald, a longtime assistant coach for Iowa women’s basketball, has announced her retirement.
Jenni Fitzgerald, a longtime assistant coach for Iowa women’s basketball, has announced her retirement. Fitzgerald was Lisa Bluder’s head coach for the previous 32 seasons, and most recently, he was the head coach’s special assistant.
The coaching staff for the Iowa women’s basketball team is still changing. After 38 seasons as a coach, including 32 under previous head coach Lisa Bluder, veteran assistant coach Jenni Fitzgerald announced her retirement on Wednesday. Fitzgerald worked as the head coach’s special assistant most recently. During her time at Iowa, she also held the positions of associate head coach, assistant coach, and advisor.
Fitzgerald said to Hawkeye Sports, “It’s been an honor to be a part of the Hawkeye family for the past 24 years.” When Lisa, Jan, and I first arrived at school, our goals were to fill arenas and lift trophies. These aspirations became our reality because of the women who came through our program and our Hawkeye community.
Although retiring is sad, I know that I’m among the select few who can claim to have had the privilege of working 32 years with their closest friends. I will always be appreciative of all the experiences and individuals I’ve encountered along the way.
Bluder remarked, “I have enjoyed working with Jenni for over the past 32 years.” “She is an incredible coach and strategist, and I am grateful that we can remain friends for the rest of our lives!”
The Hawkeyes have advanced to the postseason 22 times under Fitzgerald’s leadership, including two consecutive trips to the national title game in 2023 and 2024. Eight of the guards—Samantha Logic, Kathleen Doyle, Kate Martin, and Cailtin Clark—have made it to the WNBA thanks largely to Fitzgerald’s recruiting and development efforts.
Fitzgerald played four seasons of collegiate basketball for Drake University with current Iowa head coach Jan Jensen before beginning her coaching career. During her final season as the Bulldogs’ starting point guard and three-year team captain, she was named to the first team of the league by Bluder, the Bulldogs’ head coach.