Jan Jensen: Iowa WBB; Caitlin Clark; Building an Elite Program; The New College Athlete

Jan Jensen is the new head coach for women’s basketball at the University of Iowa. Jensen takes over an elite program that developed generational phenom, Caitlin Clark (WNBA Rookie of the Year with the Indiana Fever), and reached the NCAA Championship game the last two years. Previously named NCAA Assistant Coach of the Year, Jensen has been instrumental in recruiting and developing such athletes as Kate Martin (now with the Las Vegas Aces) and Megan Gustafson (also with the Las Vegas Aces, who recently competed for Spain in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and was NCAA Player of the Year while at Iowa). Our conversation discussed Jensen’s succession path following Lisa Bluder; her vision for the team under her leadership; building and curating a team culture; recruiting the right players to fit the Iowa program; creating the conditions for developing confidence and trust; the changing realities of college athletics with NIL, the portal, and revenue sharing; the Iowa ‘brand’; and a few memories of growing up in Iowa’s small farm communities. Chapters 00:00 The Beginning of a Journey 02:17 Seamless Transition in Coaching 08:40 The Shift in Mindset 10:52 Navigating the New Landscape of College Athletics 12:12 Maintaining College Team Culture 17:00 The Caitlin Effect and NIL Opportunities 24:11 Ground Zero of Change and Adaptation 30:20 Managing Diverse Personalities in a Team 38:00 Evolving Strategies in Basketball Coaching 41:49 Highlighting Strengths and Building Confidence 45:09 The Importance of Communication and Trust 50:00 Recruiting: Finding the Right Fit 54:00 Navigating Changes in College Athletics 01:00:03 The Impact of NIL and Athlete Branding 01:04:54 The Role of Community and Identity in Sports 01:13:44 Embracing Change and New Beginnings 01:15:18 Building Team Identity and Chemistry 01:17:12 Leadership Development in a New Era 01:19:19 Coaching Staff Dynamics and Communication 01:22:53 Adjusting to New Coaching Roles 01:26:10 The Impact of Community on Personal Growth 01:30:03 The Legacy of Iowa Basketball 01:33:32 Balancing Family Life and Coaching Responsibilities 01:37:36 Defining Success and Legacy in Coaching ___________________________________ Original Music by Billy Goodrum