Connor McCaffery, a former Iowa basketball player and son of longtime Hawkeyes coach Fran McCaffery, has officially been hired as an assistant coach for the Butler men’s basketball team. The program confirmed the move on Monday, following earlier rumors. McCaffery steps into the role left vacant by Greg Oden, the former No. 1 NBA draft pick, who departed to focus on personal business interests after two seasons with Butler.
McCaffery’s Coaching and Playing Experience
McCaffery brings a wealth of experience, having played under his father at Iowa. Most recently, he served as an assistant coach with the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. His name is also well-known due to his relationship with WNBA star Caitlin Clark, who he began dating in April 2023. The two crossed paths during their time at Iowa, where Clark became a record-breaking star for the Hawkeyes’ women’s basketball team.
Butler head coach Thad Matta shared his excitement about McCaffery’s hiring. “Connor’s experience as both a player and coach at high levels of basketball will be invaluable for our team,” Matta stated. “He comes from a basketball family I know well, and I’m thrilled about the impact he’ll have on our program, both immediately and in the long term.”
McCaffery’s Stellar College Career and NBA Experience
During his six-year playing career with Iowa, McCaffery averaged 4.5 points, 3.2 assists, and 3 rebounds per game. His impressive assist-to-turnover ratio (527 assists to 147 turnovers) ranks as the second-best in NCAA history. After finishing his college career, McCaffery joined the Pacers’ coaching staff, where he managed scouting reports and assisted with film reviews. This brief stint in the NBA gave him crucial coaching insight, which he now brings to Butler.
Strengthening Butler’s Program
At Butler, McCaffery will join a team aiming to improve under Matta, who has gone 32-33 over his first two seasons. McCaffery’s NBA experience is expected to further enhance the coaching staff, adding valuable expertise to the program as it looks to compete in the coming seasons.
