Former Iowa Hawkeye head coach, Lisa Bluder, announced her retirement on May 13th. This news came as a bit of a shock to fans, former players, and current Iowa Hawkeye basketball players.

Lisa Bluder helped lead the Iowa Hawkeye women's basketball team to back-to-back national championship game appearances. As every Hawkeye fan knows, they came up short in both games, yet they were still one of the best teams in the country the past two seasons.

Lisa Bluder had been at the University of Iowa for the past 24 years where she won more than 500 games and became the team's all-time winningest coach. Long-time assistant coach Jan Jenson has been named the new head coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes moving forward. Jan Jenson, an Iowa native, had been with Lisa for her 24-year run at the University of Iowa, and most fans can hope it will be a pretty smooth transition from Lisa to Jan.

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Why Did Lisa Retire?

Many Hawkeye fans have wondered what is the reason behind Lisa retiring. Lisa and the Hawkeyes have had such an incredible run the past 2 seasons, why would she want to stop after competing for back-to-back national championships?

According to Our Quad Cities, Lisa Bluder recently revealed one of the main driving forces behind her decision to hang up her whistle and basketball shoes at the Polk County I-Club fan event. The main reason behind her decision is her family.

"It’s an opportunity for Dave [Bluder’s husband] and I to travel while we’re still healthy. My son is going to be a senior at Grinnell College next year and I get to see all of his games. I miss so many of my kids’ things and it’s just time for me to be able to give time to them fully. It’s a time-consuming job. It’s nice to be able to breathe a little bit right now and not jump right into workouts that will be starting in a month."

After experiencing the incredible highs of multiple runs to the Final Four, playing for 2 national championships, and coaching the best player in college basketball, Lisa decided it was time to step away.

We'll always know her as "Coach Lisa Bluder." Former players will always know her as "Coach Lisa Bluder." It appears that Lisa is looking forward to putting more time into her title at home...which is Mom. Way to go Lisa!

Congratulations to Lisa Bluder for everything you've accomplished and all you have brought to the University of Iowa. Enjoy the well deserved time with your family!