Jan Jensen = Angie Lee

[LeonBeiderbecke]

Great assistant. Not a great coach.

We all knew this team would regress without Clark, but we didn’t think it would be this much. Just think if Lucy Olsen didn’t come here which happened when Bluder was still the HC.

This is a NIT team at best. They were projected a 9 seed in the NCAA before the loss today.

The Big Ten is loaded and if Iowa can’t win these non ranked games they are cooked.

Should have hired Jennie Baranczyk. She would have came home in a heartbeat.

Jan is a nice person and great assistant, but he’s not a HC.

 

[QChawks]

 

[HawkeyeGenius]

The question is, will Baranczyk still come in three or four years?

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

I get that after 4 years of CC and her on court persona it’s tough, but this team has nobody anywhere near able to be considered a leader on the floor. I’m sure they all got used to CC being that and then some, but everyone looks timid. There is no “take charge” person and that makes a big difference.

 

[suburbanhawk]

Great assistant. Not a great coach.

We all knew this team would regress without Clark, but we didn’t think it would be this much. Just think if Lucy Olsen didn’t come here which happened when Bluder was still the HC.

This is a NIT team at best. They were projected a 9 seed in the NCAA before the loss today.

The Big Ten is loaded and if Iowa can’t win these non ranked games they are cooked.

Should have hired Jennie Baranczyk. She would have came home in a heartbeat.

Jan is a nice person and great assistant, but he’s not a HC.

Well they went to the Sweet 16 and finished 7th in the final AP Poll in Angie’s first season, so I don’t think we can jump to conclusions based on year one.

It’s rough right now, let’s give Jan a chance. If anything I think this season shows how underrated Caitlin Clark was regarding making her teammates better.

 

[hawkod]

Great assistant. Not a great coach.

We all knew this team would regress without Clark, but we didn’t think it would be this much. Just think if Lucy Olsen didn’t come here which happened when Bluder was still the HC.

This is a NIT team at best. They were projected a 9 seed in the NCAA before the loss today.

The Big Ten is loaded and if Iowa can’t win these non ranked games they are cooked.

Should have hired Jennie Baranczyk. She would have came home in a heartbeat.

Jan is a nice person and great assistant, but he’s not a HC.

I love Jennie; live in Des Moines and went to plenty of her Drake games. I'm not sure she would drop everything she's done at Oklahoma just yet...I think she's still invested in seeing what she can build there. Maybe in several years.

 

[doughawk]

Well they went to the Sweet 16 and finished 7th in the final AP Poll in Angie’s first season, so I don’t think we can jump to conclusions based on year one.

It’s rough right now, let’s give Jan a chance. If anything I think this season shows how underrated Caitlin Clark was regarding making her teammates better.

Yes, Angie did it with Vivian’s players who were very good. Vivian didn’t know her husband was going to pass away thus the cupboard was full of players Angie inherited. Currently, Jennie’s Oklahoma team is ranked 10th and rising and she took the top player in Iowa 2 or 3 years ago. We appear to have some waisted scholarships on the roster. Remember, Jan was the top recruiter. These are players she scouted and recruited. It’s not like she inherited players she didn’t want. She needs to get the best out of them and her staff. I’m skeptical of our current recruiting coordinator. Not impressed with her vlogs.

 

[Scott559]

The talent Angie inherited was far superior to what Jan has.

 

[retrodent]

Great assistant. Not a great coach.

We all knew this team would regress without Clark, but we didn’t think it would be this much. Just think if Lucy Olsen didn’t come here which happened when Bluder was still the HC.

This is a NIT team at best. They were projected a 9 seed in the NCAA before the loss today.

The Big Ten is loaded and if Iowa can’t win these non ranked games they are cooked.

Should have hired Jennie Baranczyk. She would have came home in a heartbeat.

Jan is a nice person and great assistant, but he’s not a HC.

She does not have much to work with- no great facilitator. But Deal will be here next year. In wbb having girls that can drive and create is a winning strategy- I was hoping Syd would provide that, but no one is. Hanna is not a four ,like Warnock,as no outside threat- they play ten feet off her and jam up the middle. And is there a team with worse passers??? Stare, stare oops no open anymore😡

 

[AMAYS]

I love Jennie; live in Des Moines and went to plenty of her Drake games. I'm not sure she would drop everything she's done at Oklahoma just yet...I think she's still invested in seeing what she can build there. Maybe in several years.

I was for Jennie when Bluder retired, but suspect you are right that the timing was not right for her to return to Iowa.

 

[RoundRock620]

Jen deserves a chance, longer than one season. I still like to watch this team no matter how frustrating it is at times. Start Lucy, Stremlow, Syd, Hannah and Ava. Create plays to free Lucy. Syd has no creativity and should stick what she does best: steals, rebounds, and knock down 3s when wide open. Stremlow is a joy to watch. Such a smart player for a freshman. This team cannot play fast. We see what happens first 10 minutes every game now, stupid rushed passes and shots. Jen needs to teach patience and smart set plays.

 

[LeonBeiderbecke]

Jen deserves a chance, longer than one season. I still like to watch this team no matter how frustrating it is at times. Start Lucy, Stremlow, Syd, Hannah and Ava. Create plays to free Lucy. Syd has no creativity and should stick what she does best: steals, rebounds, and knock down 3s when wide open. Stremlow is a joy to watch. Such a smart player for a freshman. This team cannot play fast. We see what happens first 10 minutes every game now, stupid rushed passes and shots. Jen needs to teach patience and smart set plays.

I’m not calling for her to be fired, but I don’t think she is the right person for the head job. She will for sure get two more years but I just am worried Iowa women’s basketball may see a similar decline that it had under Lee.

 

[LinusPF]

If Bluder was coaching this team without JJ & Jenny Fitzgerald I think the record would be roughly the same. We're losing to really good teams with veteran head coaches.

 

[LeonBeiderbecke]

If Bluder was coaching this team without JJ & Jenny Fitzgerald I think the record would be roughly the same. We're losing to really good teams with veteran head coaches.

I’m not so sure. The offense is totally different and not just because Clark is gone. It’s a slower paced offense not what Lisa used to run.

 

[HawksGoneWild1]

You lost me at Stremlow is a joy to watch. She has hustle but it doesn't translate to much.

Interesting take...

Stremlow played 26 mins. She had:
8 rebounds (1st; next highest player had 5)
4 assists (tied for 1st)
5 steals (1st; next highest player had 1)
7 points (higher than Stuelke, Feuerbach and Affolter; all starting upperclassmen)
Not tracked is she had at least 2 tie-ups to retain or change the possession arrow.

Indiana vs Iowa Women's Basketball Game Summary - January 12th, 2025 | NCAA.com

Live scores from the Indiana and Iowa DI Women's Basketball game, including box scores, individual and team statistics and play-by-play.

www.ncaa.com

She was either 1st or tied for 1st in 3 of the 4 major categories of production and out produced 3 of the 5 starters in points.

I believe she got the 2nd most mins in this game because she did have productive stats and brought more energy beyond most on the team.

 

[MVPFAN]

Interesting take...

Stremlow played 26 mins. She had:
8 rebounds (1st; next highest player had 5)
4 assists (tied for 1st)
5 steals (1st; next highest player had 1)
7 points (higher than Stuelke, Feuerbach and Affolter; all starting upperclassmen)
Not tracked is she had at least 2 tie-ups to retain or change the possession arrow.

Indiana vs Iowa Women's Basketball Game Summary - January 12th, 2025 | NCAA.com

Live scores from the Indiana and Iowa DI Women's Basketball game, including box scores, individual and team statistics and play-by-play.

www.ncaa.com

She was either 1st or tied for 1st in 3 of the 4 major categories of production and out produced 3 of the 5 starters in points.

I believe she got the 2nd most mins in this game because she did have productive stats and brought more energy beyond most on the team.

I didn't watch the Indiana game. Prior to that she had very little output. Sounds like she performed better.

 

[HawkGem11]

If Bluder was coaching this team without JJ & Jenny Fitzgerald I think the record would be roughly the same. We're losing to really good teams with veteran head coaches.

100% disagree

 

[Beattheohiostate]

Great assistant. Not a great coach.

We all knew this team would regress without Clark, but we didn’t think it would be this much. Just think if Lucy Olsen didn’t come here which happened when Bluder was still the HC.

This is a NIT team at best. They were projected a 9 seed in the NCAA before the loss today.

The Big Ten is loaded and if Iowa can’t win these non ranked games they are cooked.

Should have hired Jennie Baranczyk. She would have came home in a heartbeat.

Jan is a nice person and great assistant, but he’s not a HC.

I'll give Jan at least the rest of the season, but right now the evidence backs up your observations. And it's not like Jan would the first great assistant to flame out as a head coach. It happens all the time in every sport. The two jobs are very different, and many good people can't make the transition.

 

[Titanhawk2]

Great assistant. Not a great coach.

We all knew this team would regress without Clark, but we didn’t think it would be this much. Just think if Lucy Olsen didn’t come here which happened when Bluder was still the HC.

This is a NIT team at best. They were projected a 9 seed in the NCAA before the loss today.

The Big Ten is loaded and if Iowa can’t win these non ranked games they are cooked.

Should have hired Jennie Baranczyk. She would have came home in a heartbeat.

Jan is a nice person and great assistant, but he’s not a HC.

Lee's first team only lost 4 games and went to the sweet 16

 

[Titanhawk2]

How is it that almost no one, except McCabe, played for more than half the game? O'Grady looked like she was effective, and only played half the game?

 

[Herky T Hawk]

The biggest problem I had with the situation is that there was no search. The job was just given to her. Exactly like the Angie Lee situation. Because of that there will always be a chance of a cloud hanging over the program that maybe she wasn't the best person for the job. I say chance because that depends upon performance, and with the way the performance is heading that is a very large chance.

I don't think Jan would have left us before a search was completed. And if she was still the person selected, then this convo likely isn't happening. But we didn't attempt to find "the best person" that was interested in the job when we didn't do a search. And that creates situations like this. Similar to when Brian was named the OC on the football team without attempting a serious search. That created so many problems for Kirk during his tenure that was exacerbated by Brian's failures.

 

[HawkeyeGenius]

I’m not calling for her to be fired, but I don’t think she is the right person for the head job. She will for sure get two more years but I just am worried Iowa women’s basketball may see a similar decline that it had under Lee.

That's the legitimate concern. There will probably never be a better time in our lives to seize momentum. I've never given in to the belief that a top assistant deserves or has earned the job. Big difference in being a successful assistant and a head coach.

 

[mphawk]

The biggest problem I had with the situation is that there was no search. The job was just given to her. Exactly like the Angie Lee situation. Because of that there will always be a chance of a cloud hanging over the program that maybe she wasn't the best person for the job. I say chance because that depends upon performance, and with the way the performance is heading that is a very large chance.

I don't think Jan would have left us before a search was completed. And if she was still the person selected, then this convo likely isn't happening. But we didn't attempt to find "the best person" that was interested in the job when we didn't do a search. And that creates situations like this. Similar to when Brian was named the OC on the football team without attempting a serious search. That created so many problems for Kirk during his tenure that was exacerbated by Brian's failures.

Two different situations. When Lisa suddenly retired, everyone agreed it was a no-brainer to promote Jan. She had sat at Lisa's side all those years, so you would assume she would be Bluder 2.0. And obviously the players all loved Jan.

Angie Lee was totally different. There should have been a search then. I talked to one of her former players once. None of them liked her. She had an abrasive personality. And her last year, she forced injured players to play anyway in a desperate attempt to save her job.

 

[HawkeyeGenius]

Two different situations. When Lisa suddenly retired, everyone agreed it was a no-brainer to promote Jan. She had sat at Lisa's side all those years, so you would assume she would be Bluder 2.0. And obviously the players all loved Jan.

Angie Lee was totally different. There should have been a search then. I talked to one of her former players once. None of them liked her. She had an abrasive personality. And her last year, she forced injured players to play anyway in a desperate attempt to save her job.

Who is everyone? I know many that questioned the process.

 

[HawkGem11]

Two different situations. When Lisa suddenly retired, everyone agreed it was a no-brainer to promote Jan. She had sat at Lisa's side all those years, so you would assume she would be Bluder 2.0. And obviously the players all loved Jan.

Angie Lee was totally different. There should have been a search then. I talked to one of her former players once. None of them liked her. She had an abrasive personality. And her last year, she forced injured players to play anyway in a desperate attempt to save her job.

Disagree not everybody agreed that it was a no brainer....

 

[Herky T Hawk]

Disagree not everybody agreed that it was a no brainer....

Exactly, I could probably go back and find posts of mine saying that we should have done an open search and many others said the same.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Iowa lost Michael Jordan. What did people expect?

Iowa wasnt knocking on the door of final fours or national championships before Clark and I doubt they will after Clark.

I shake my head at people that think it was coaching or the culture. It was because of one player.

It’s going to take an outrageous amount of NIL to get back. Iowa isn’t a destination school nor do they have a coach that is going to connect with minority players that had a rough home life.

 

[retrodent]

I’m not so sure. The offense is totally different and not just because Clark is gone. It’s a slower paced offense not what Lisa used to run.

We have no ball handlers- lucy is a scorer and not a passer which was unexpected I am guessing. Deal next year will turn this around, she attacks and can pass. She will get CC- like attention from other teams and open up the rest of the team. Just be patient

 

[pablow]

Iowa lost Michael Jordan. What did people expect?

Iowa wasnt knocking on the door of final fours or national championships before Clark and I doubt they will after Clark.

I shake my head at people that think it was coaching or the culture. It was because of one player.

It’s going to take an outrageous amount of NIL to get back. Iowa isn’t a destination school nor do they have a coach that is going to connect with minority players that had a rough home life.

Iowa has been one win from the final four under Bluder and before Clark. So wrong there.

Bluder helped CC like no other coach could have or would have. Bluder was brilliant letting Caitlin do her thing.

Tell us about Jan's difficulty connecting with "minority players that had a rough home life." You must have inside info.

 

[lucas80]

I guess this thread is nice in the respect that people who didn’t give a fig about women’s basketball are now heady with a sense of entitlement. I assume many folks voicing opinions are the ones who wanted Bluder fired a few years ago when she had a rough patch? Couldn’t recruit. The game had passed her by… Losing arguably the best player in the history of women’s collegiate hoops has an effect. Let’s not write Jensen’s obituary before one half of conference play is in the books.

 

[JEDN]

Jan should and will get a minimum of 3years.

 

[UpstreamHawkeye]

I guess this thread is nice in the respect that people who didn’t give a fig about women’s basketball are now heady with a sense of entitlement. I assume many folks voicing opinions are the ones who wanted Bluder fired a few years ago when she had a rough patch? Couldn’t recruit. The game had passed her by… Losing arguably the best player in the history of women’s collegiate hoops has an effect. Let’s not write Jensen’s obituary before one half of conference play is in the books.

Yeah, I'm heartened that apparently a lot of people still care about the Iowa women's team. A lot more than before Clark arrived, not even when Gustafson was tearing it up in the Big Ten for three years.

 

[ChiPackHawk]

Well they went to the Sweet 16 and finished 7th in the final AP Poll in Angie’s first season, so I don’t think we can jump to conclusions based on year one.

It’s rough right now, let’s give Jan a chance. If anything I think this season shows how underrated Caitlin Clark was regarding making her teammates better.

I think you also need to take into consideration that besides Clark, there was another WNBA caliber player (Martin) and a pretty high level defensive player and ball handler (Marshall) that had to be replaced as well. Again, that is a lot of talent and leadership to leave a program.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Iowa has been one win from the final four under Bluder and before Clark. So wrong there.

Bluder helped CC like no other coach could have or would have. Bluder was brilliant letting Caitlin do her thing.

Tell us about Jan's difficulty connecting with "minority players that had a rough home life." You must have inside info.

Getting beat by 30 in the Elite 8 is close? Ok.

The record pre Clark and post Clark shows the value of Clark. It’s really that simple when the best years by miles coincides with one player, not one coach.

 

[hahkize]

I’m not so sure. The offense is totally different and not just because Clark is gone. It’s a slower paced offense not what Lisa used to run.

I questioned this in another thread as well. Lisa had been running a 'read and react' type of continuity w/ backcuts, etc. The current scheme seems to really struggle w/ rhythm and seems to try to force the ball to where it's not open.

 

[pablow]

Getting beat by 30 in the Elite 8 is close? Ok.

The record pre Clark and post Clark shows the value of Clark. It’s really that simple when the best years by miles coincides with one player, not one coach.

I'm not aware anyone claimed it was all Bluder. If you are minimizing Bluder as a coach, you aren't following the sport much. She has been named a finalist this year for the Naismith Hall of Fame. She's an exception coach.

 

[creslin_hawk]

I'm not aware anyone claimed it was all Bluder. If you are minimizing Bluder as a coach, you aren't following the sport much. She has been named a finalist this year for the Naismith Hall of Fame. She's an exception coach.

its too early to get a read on Jan. This program lost 3 4 year starters. The upperclassman besides Stuelke have been in minor roles and are missing a lot of development time tied to the fact that they sat. Almost nobody left so continuity was always there. The core of this team is likey to slowly transition to the freshman. I think next year will be better indication, this year is a transition phase. We have peices but they dont all fit. Guyton pushes the ball faster than Lucy. Stremlow is maybe the best passer on the team right now, but she has not really adjusted to scoring and needs realize that shes probably the vocal leader of the team. Ava is string to settle in, there were a couple of times where she had a step when running in transition, but nobody threw her the ball. Nore time on the floor should fix that. Teagan seems to have hit the freshan wall, but she looks like she has the goods. Bring in the 3 next year and a offseason where they are hungry and lets see where they are at.

 

[Rustys Dad]

You don’t lose Michael Jordan from your team and expect similar results. This team has talent. The young guns are on the roster and we have a great class next year led by 5* Deal… Jan will get better and so will the team.

 

[ping72]

Am I the only one who thought the last few teams would have been pretty much this season’s team without CC? I’m not sure if any of them would have won more than 1 game in the tourney.

 

[LeonBeiderbecke]

Lee's first team only lost 4 games and went to the sweet 16

She had a loaded team. After that it went downhill.