Tough day? No problem when you’ve got Caitlin Clark by your side. Well, that seemed so true for Connor McCaffery, who was spotted courtside with Clark at the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.
And given the circumstances, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that Connor was processing the major shake-up in his father’s career. He would have surely found some comfort in Clark’s presence.
Caitlin Clark: Always a Pillar of Support
Clark and McCaffery have been a steady presence in each other’s lives, with Caitlin regularly supporting her boyfriend’s coaching journey with Butler.
And while Friday’s game had nothing to do with Butler, the fact that Connor was still out there, watching hoops, spoke volumes. Sometimes, basketball is the best distraction—even when the news off the court isn’t great.
As Illinois took on Maryland at the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals, cameras panned to the couple in the stands. And in the video shared by FOX College Hoops’ Twitter, Clark was sitting by the side of Connor, but instead of soaking in the moment, both were glued to their phones.
Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery in the house for the Big Ten Tournament pic.twitter.com/0byrcUQJ91
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 15, 2025
It was just a casual moment that was caught at the wrong time. But, they have a lot on their plate right now. The news of Connor’s father, Fran McCaffery’s firing, had just dropped earlier that day.
A Departure That Marks the End of an Era
Fran McCaffery’s tenure as Iowa’s head coach officially came to an end after 15 seasons. Following a 106-94 loss to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament, the Hawkeyes decided to dismiss the longtime leader.
McCaffery racked up a record of 297-207 during his time at Iowa. He also secured seven NCAA tournament appearances for them. But, the back-to-back underwhelming seasons didn’t help his case. Finally, the Hawkeyes decided it was time to shake things up. While not entirely unexpected, it still marked the end of a significant chapter for the McCaffery family.
For Connor, it was more personal than just another coaching change. He played under his father at Iowa before transitioning into coaching himself. So he knew firsthand the passion and dedication Fran brought to the table. Now, as he continues his own journey with Butler, the timing of the news undoubtedly hit home.
Life in basketball moves fast. One moment, you’re leading a program for over a decade, the next, you’re out. But the game moves on.
Clark has always been high on cheering Connor during his games. But this time, for Connor, the moment with Clark meant taking a break from the noise. It’s not a fairy-tale night by a long shot, but sometimes, just being there is all you need.