In the post-Caitlin Clark era, the Iowa Hawkeyes witnessed an unprecedented turnover. Lisa Bluder retired, and Jan Jensen, as expected, was promoted to the top coaching position. They lost assistant coach Raina Harmon, who was crucial in their recruitment, when she took the head coaching job at Florida Gulf Coast. Last season, Jensen experienced another blow when five of her players left via the transfer portal.
With so many changes taking place around her, Jensen and the program have made an important decision. With the next season right around the corner, the Hawkeyes have officially promoted Caitlin Clark’s former teammate, Sydney Affolter, to special assistant to the head coach.
“Congratulations to Sydney on being promoted to Special Assistant to the Head Coach ahead of the upcoming season! We’re so happy you’re ours,” Iowa Hawkeyes announced on X earlier this week.
Affolter played four years with the Hawkeyes and joined the coaching staff immediately after graduating. She had first joined Jensen’s staff in May last year. She was appointed as a graduate assistant before being promoted to assistant to the head coach.
“I’m beyond excited to remain with a program that has given me so much. It’s an honor to give back and support this team in a new role,” Affolter said after taking over the graduate assistant’s position, per Hawkeyes Wire.
Beyond familiarity and stability, Affolter brings deep knowledge that aligns perfectly with Bluder and Jensen’s culture in Iowa. During her term as a graduate assistant, the program went 27-7 in the last season. Although the specifics of her duties haven’t been mentioned, she has certainly earned her place in Jensen’s close circle.
Her interest in coaching wasn’t sudden. During the 2025 Final Four, she attended the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association “So You Want To Be a Coach” seminar in Tampa, Florida. Perhaps Jensen also wanted Affolter by her side, given the eligibility condition that requires a player to earn a nomination from her head coach.
Sydney Affolter’s player profile as a Hawkeye
The Chicago native joined the Hawkeyes from Marist in the 2021-22 season. As a freshman, she appeared in 19 games and came off the bench in all the contests. She averaged 1.6 points and 2.5 rebounds in her first season.
In her sophomore year, Affolter was able to earn Bluder’s trust. While her minutes barely increased, she became a regular part of Iowa’s rotation. Her shooting percentage doubled, and her scoring saw a similar trajectory. She averaged 2.9 points while shooting 47.9% from the field in 37 games.
With Affolter, the Iowa Hawkeyes also saw big success. The Hawkeyes, featuring Clark in her prime, reached the title game against Angel Reese’s LSU. Sadly, they faced a heartbreaking upset.
But Affolter’s role continued to expand on the team.
In her junior year, she appeared in 39 games, including 12 of them as a starter. This was the season that Affolter’s 3-point shooting saw the biggest change, and her scoring almost tripled. She averaged 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Affolter shot 55.2% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc. The Hawkeyes once again reached the title game but were defeated by Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks.
After her junior year, the Iowa Hawkeyes saw a complete change. Caitlin Clark was drafted in the WNBA, and Lisa Bluder announced her retirement. By then, Affolter had earned Jensen’s trust, and Jensen was promoted to take Bluder’s position.
Jensen promoted Affolter to the starting role, and she didn’t disappoint. Affolter appeared in 33 games, averaging career-highs in multiple categories. She averaged 8.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Also, she shot 47.7% from the field and 46.3% from the 3-point line.
Her numbers were not outstanding. They were not of a star. But Affolter remained a big part of the Hawkeyes for all four years. Why? Because she knew her role, and she executed her role as well as anyone could have. The Hawkeyes need a mind like Affolter right now.
The former Hawkeye has been more than happy in her new role after her playing days. Affolter regularly posts videos on her social media with a catchy thumbnail that reads “Iowa WBB game day in life.”
Fans will get the first glimpse of the Hawkeyes later this month. On Oct. 29, Iowa will host Maryville for an exhibition game. Four days after, the program will kick off its regular season against Towson on Nov. 2 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.