PHILADELPHIA -- Former Iowa men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery is set to become the head coach of his alma mater according to a press release on Thursday.
The former Hawkeye head coach, who spent 15 seasons in Iowa City, will take over as the head coach at Penn. A Philadelphia native, McCaffery played for the Quakers from 1979-82 after one season at Wake Forest. He earned the nickname "White Magic" during his time at Penn and led the Ivy League in assists (105) and steals (51) as a senior in 1981-82.
Penn Director of Athletics and Recreation Alanna Wren expressed her excitement in bringing McCaffery in to lead the program.
"Fran has had success at every level of Division I and is passionate about restoring our program to glory," Wren said. "His energy and enthusiasm for leading young men was apparent throughout the process and he has proven to be committed to player development and relationship-building with his student-athletes throughout his storied career."
People are also reading... Iowa to hire Ben McCollum as next head basketball coach Iowa loses top recruit in 2024 class, Hawkeye legacy to transfer portal Moline graduates Brock Harding, Owen Freeman likely not returning to Iowa Ben McCollum wants his Iowa program to emulate legendary and beloved former Hawkeye Does Lucy Olsen see the resemblance with her mom after viral moment in March Madness? Iowa State center Dishon Jackson to enter transfer portal, here's what he said What should Ben McCollum prioritize in the transfer portal to start Iowa tenure strong? Bettendorf police treating death of two people as a murder-suicide What did Fran McCaffery say in first appearance since Iowa ouster? Bettendorf engineer proposed cheaper, safer option for $60 million Bettendorf Interstate 80/Middle Road interchange Former Iowa big man, Big Ten Freshman of the Year announces transfer decision Iowa hoops commit reopens recruitment amid coaching change Why Iowa, Oklahoma coaches will wear No. 52 pins during Monday's game Iowa State's Tamin Lipsey shares updated injury status ahead of Lipscomb NCAA Tournament game 3 Burning Questions for Iowa Men's Basketball: Can Ben McCollum reignite the program?
McCaffery also expressed excitement at the opportunity to return to his alma mater as its head coach.
"It is a program that I have fond memories of from my previous time there as a student-athlete and assistant coach," McCaffery said. "My vision is to return Penn to prominence in the Ivy League and beyond and bring an exciting style of play to The Palestra. I want to thank President Larry Jameson, AD Alanna Wren, Provost John Jackson and Senior Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli for providing me with this opportunity to return home. I relish the challenge and look forward to getting started."
Upon graduating from Penn in 1982, McCaffery became an assistant coach at Penn for one season before serving as an assistant (1983-85) and head coach (1985-88) at Lehigh. McCaffery also served as the head coach of UNC Greensboro (1999-2005) and Siena (2005-10) before his stint at Iowa.
McCaffery, the winningest coach in Iowa men's basketball history (297-207), takes over a Quaker program without an NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018. In the last six seasons, Penn managed a record of 83-89 under former Boston College head coach Steve Donahue.
What did Fran McCaffery say in first appearance since Iowa ouster?
Former Iowa men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery made his first appearance since his dismissal last week when he joined James Young on the Betting Above the Rim Podcast on Tuesday.
Former Iowa big man, Big Ten Freshman of the Year announces transfer decision
Owen Freeman has a new home. After two seasons with the Iowa men's basketball program, the Moline alum will be headed west of the Missouri River for his junior campaign.
Moline graduates Brock Harding, Owen Freeman likely not returning to Iowa
Did Monday's announcement of McCollum taking the Hawkeye reins affect either Harding's or Freeman's decision to transfer after two years in Iowa City? Probably not.
Ethan Petrik is a University of Iowa beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at [email protected].
0 Comments Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Ethan Petrik
University of Iowa Athletics Beat Reporter
Author twitter Author email Follow Ethan Petrik Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today