New Chapter Begins in Caitlin Clark’s Other Family as Boyfriend Connor McCaffery Drops a Silent Reaction

In 2010, when the Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball program was trying to find its legs, they found a leader in Fran McCaffery. Since then, tides turned for good with seven NCAA appearances, 297-207 overall record, a conference tournament, and ability to bring Iowa back in national conversation to show for it. Through all this, loyalty and love, for Fran, stood tall. And so, even as the 65-year-old received double technical in the Round-of-32 matchup against Illinois in early March, he answered the question of “Are you planning to return to Iowa?” with a simple “I do.”

However, even though he stood up for his players as they fought hard till the dying minutes, with the team’s loss, the Hawkeyes sent Fran back home for good. Alas, the chapter had ended against his wishes. But after departing Iowa in mid-March, he received a call. And just about fifteen days later, we got an update. The University of Pennsylvania has a new head coach.

Of course, celebrations are in order for the new beginnings as Fran returns to the Palestra. And how can his son stay away who once said, “To my dad- playing for you has been my dream since day 1. It exceeded expectations in every way possible,” as he too left the Carver-Hawkeye Arena behind.

With a quiet Instagram post, Connor confirmed the news: His dad was headed back to the University of Pennsylvania, this time as the head coach. No caption, no fanfare—just a proud son letting the world know his father was back where it all began.

And what a full-circle moment it is. “I am excited and honored to return to my alma mater and the city of Philadelphia to lead the Penn men’s basketball program,” Fran McCaffery said in a statement. “It is a program that I have fond memories of from my previous time there as a student-athlete and assistant coach.”

Back in the 1981–82 season, then-No. 25 McCaffery led the Ivy League in assists (105) and steals (51) during his senior year. He left a mark on that program as a player—and now, over four decades later, he returns with an even bigger mission.

Connor later mentioned, “It’s exciting. You could see in the press conference how much it means to him. Obviously, he was incredibly emotional, and we still hear stories. Siblings and I joke about it. My mom — we joke about it. He remembers everything that happened in this building. The Cathedral of College Basketball — there’s no better feeling from me seeing him to be able to do that.

“I always wanted to play here because of all the stories. … We played Penn State here when I was at Iowa, and the feel and the aura of [the Palestra] is special. … You just have an appreciation for Penn basketball. Being in a place of such rich history, I think, is going to be a great place for him to be because ultimately, that’s where he wants to be.”

But Fran didn’t return to Penn empty-handed. He brings with him a résumé stacked with 12 NCAA tournament appearances—more than any other Ivy League coach at the time of his hiring. That kind of experience doesn’t go unnoticed. The Quakers saw the opportunity, and they pounced.

And it wasn’t just Connor showing love. Patrick McCaffery commented on Penn’s Instagram post, “Let’s get it.” Caitlin Clark also hit the like button on the announcement, silently backing the McCafferys as their next chapter began. A family win, it seemed—father, sons, and girlfriend all playing their part.

Everything looked perfect on paper. But here’s the kicker—everything isn’t quite as smooth as it seems.

It all began with the end of an era—Fran McCaffery, after 15 seasons at the helm of Iowa basketball, was officially out. Despite amassing a 297-207 overall record and holding his own in Big Ten play with a 143-141 mark. Seven seasons before the 2024-25 season, McCaffery’s offense was ranked in the top 20 efficiency. However, this season, it came down to 12th in an 18-team league, worst number under Fran. And nothing seemed to matter when it came time for the school to make a decision.

Even his final season didn’t help his case. The Hawkeyes wrapped up the regular season with a modest 16-15 record, including a 7-13 struggle in conference play. There was a glimpse of hope when Iowa edged out Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament opener—but it all came crashing down in the very next game.

McCaffery’s fiery passion has always been a hallmark of his coaching style, but that final outburst against Illinois now reads like a curtain call he didn’t see coming. The ejection, the emotion, and that unwavering “I do” when asked about his return—it all adds to the drama of a coach caught in the storm.

But throughout the game, it did feel like the entire team just knew. These were Fran’s only technical calls in the season as he just stood on the sideline with his hands in his pocket. The quietest whistle he had ever received. But as the video rolled on, you could see the players hugging the coaching staff, eyes full of tears, as if they knew that it wasn’t just end of their season, it was end of an era.

Whether or not he truly believed it in that moment, it’s clear McCaffery wasn’t ready to say goodbye. But sometimes, the game makes the call for you.

Fran McCaffery says he has every intention of returning next season as Iowa’s head coach.

“I’m fully committed to the program, the players. I have no intention of moving on.” pic.twitter.com/Hqjl6t4HwU

— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) March 4, 2025

And that 2021–22 run really did feel like his last big swing. That team had firepower, momentum, and gave Iowa fans hope of something bigger brewing. But in the end, you can only ride past glory for so long.

Missing the NCAA tournament seven times? That’s a tough pill to swallow for any program hoping to be in the national conversation. So even with years left on his deal, the writing was on the wall. The Hawkeyes ended a contract that would have run through June 30, 2028. A $4.2 million buyout is no small move—it shows just how ready the university was to turn the page.

Of course, McCaffery isn’t new to the coaching carousel. Before Iowa, he led programs at Lehigh, UNC Greensboro, and Siena, making his mark across decades of college basketball. He has an all-time head coaching mark of 548-384 with 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. No doubt, it was a sting to his family that’s why Connor came out firing on social media.

The 26-year-old, let his emotions speak in silence. Three clown emojis. That was it. No words, no elaboration. Just a raw, symbolic protest of how quickly success can be forgotten.

Days have passed, but the message remains. For Connor, it wasn’t just about losing a job—it was about watching years of hard work, loyalty, and wins be reduced to a headline and a payout. And now, when his father is recruited only days after firing, his pride runs deep.