”Fire!”: Jan Jensen Faces the Heat as Caitlin Clark’s Irreplaceable Void Leaves Iowa Hawkeyes in Big Ten Turmoil

Losing a generational talent like Caitlin Clark can feel like a huge blow to any team, and for the Iowa Hawkeyes, this season has been one of tough lessons. After making it all the way to the national championship game last year, Iowa now finds itself sitting 13th in the Big Ten standings. It’s clear that the absence of Clark has left a massive void that the team is still trying to fill. So, what exactly happened?

Just this past Sunday, the Hawkeyes faced another tough loss at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, falling 74-67 to the Indiana Hoosiers. What made the defeat even harder to stomach was that it marked just Indiana’s second road win against Iowa in 30 years, the first coming in 2021. Over the past couple of years, the teams had been neck-and-neck, but Iowa had typically ruled the home court. Not anymore.

Looking at the numbers, it’s clear that Iowa’s struggles against Indiana weren’t due to a lack of effort. The Hawkeyes dominated on the boards, grabbing 38 rebounds, including 15 offensive. But Indiana’s shooting efficiency was the real difference maker.

They shot a solid 49.1% from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc, while Iowa was much less efficient, shooting just 33.9% overall and 31.6% from three. To add to that, Indiana made the most of Iowa’s turnovers, scoring 24 points off 17 giveaways.

And this loss to Indiana isn’t an isolated incident. Iowa has had a rough start to January, suffering back-to-back losses to Maryland and Illinois. This marks their first such losing streak since 2022, which was broken at 2 even then. Clark’s magic has spoiled Iowa faithful for the past four years, and patience is running thin.

Amidst criticism, Jan Jensen sees a bright future for Iowa

Last season and in Lisa Bluder’s final (2023-24), the team posted a remarkable 34–5 record and won the Big Ten Tournament championship. A month and a half yet to go and the Hawkeyes have already added 5 losses to the record this season. Fans aren’t happy with the turnout, lashing out at Jan Jensen’s leadership.

“Jan Jensen, thoroughly bad at her job,” one opined.

Clark’s dominance on the court was undeniable. Averaging nearly 30 points per game, she was the heart and soul of Iowa basketball. But now, with a new coach at the helm, the team is still adjusting. As one fan put it on X, “I’m not really sure where you turn if you’re Jan Jensen. There isn’t a consistent player or lineup right now.”

The Hawkeyes find their offensive strength in Lucy Olsen this season, leading with 17-point average. Only two more average in double digits. But with Olsen being a transfer the team also lacks veteran leadership. Jensen has acknowledged it. But the daunting performances of late, haven’t placed her in a few’s favor.

One expressed, “Too many turnovers for the Iowa Hawkeye girls. I hope I’m wrong, but I don’t think Jan Jensen is a good coach.” The Hawkeyes are averaging 16.6 turnovers per game, about three more than last season (13.8) and rank a poor 141 in 3-point percentage average.

Frustrated, “Fire Jan Jensen” added another.

Jensen stepped into a tough situation, inheriting a team that was still reeling from the departure of some of Iowa’s most prolific players, including Clark and Kate Martin. The 2023-2024 season has had its bright moments, but it hasn’t been easy. Sitting 13th in the Big Ten is not where Iowa expects to be, and the struggles are real.

One fan summed it up by saying, “The wheels are on, but Jan Jensen keeps hitting the curb.” There’s even talk about quietly starting a search for a new head coach. But despite the criticism, Jensen has remained calm and focused on the future. She’s been vocal about the importance of developing new leadership and building chemistry with a younger team.

As she put it after the recent losses, “My job is to keep them here. There’s a lot of season left.” It’s clear she’s trying to stay pragmatic and look ahead rather than dwell on the past.

Jensen isn’t looking to be another Lisa Bluder or live in her shadow. Instead, she’s focused on forging her own path and leaving her own legacy. The road ahead might be rocky, but it’s still early, and there’s a lot of basketball left to play. What do you think about the future of the Iowa Hawkeyes under Jan Jensen?