PHILADELPHIA – In a significant move for the University of Pennsylvania's men's basketball program, Fran McCaffery has been announced as the new John R. Rockwell Head Coach, as confirmed by Alanna Wren, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W'69 Director of Athletics and Recreation. This announcement, made on March 27, 2025, marks a triumphant return for McCaffery to his alma mater, where he previously played a pivotal role as a student-athlete.
McCaffery will be formally introduced during a press conference scheduled for Monday, April 7, at 10 a.m. at The Palestra, a venue steeped in basketball history. This event is set to draw attention from fans and media alike as the Quakers look to revitalize their program under McCaffery's leadership.
Having transferred from Wake Forest, McCaffery played three seasons for the Quakers, showcasing his talents on the court. He led the Ivy League in assists (105) and steals (51) during his senior year in 1981-82, and his contributions helped Penn achieve a remarkable 36-6 record in Ivy League play, securing three Ivy League titles and NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure.
"I am thrilled to bring Fran back to Penn and Philadelphia as our next head men's basketball coach," Wren stated. "Fran has had success at every level of Division I and is passionate about restoring our program to glory. His energy and enthusiasm for leading young men was apparent throughout the process and he has proven to be committed to player development and relationship-building with his student-athletes throughout his storied career."
McCaffery's coaching journey spans 43 years, with 29 of those years as a head coach at various institutions including Lehigh, UNC Greensboro, Siena, and most recently, the University of Iowa. At Iowa, he departed as the all-time winningest coach, amassing an impressive 297 victories.
Throughout his career, McCaffery has established himself as one of the few Division I coaches to guide teams to conference tournament titles in four or more different leagues. He is also among just 14 Division I head coaches to lead at least four different programs to the NCAA Tournament, a testament to his coaching prowess.
His overall head coaching record stands at 548-384, yielding a .588 winning percentage. Notably, the programs he inherited had a combined record of 35-84 (.204) prior to his arrival, but by year three, they boasted a combined record of 89-45 (.664).
McCaffery's success is underscored by the 12 teams he has coached to NCAA Tournament appearances and five to the NIT. At Iowa, his tenure saw the Hawkeyes participate in postseason tournaments 11 of the last 13 completed seasons, including seven NCAA Tournaments from 2014 to 2023.
During his time with Iowa, McCaffery's teams achieved remarkable success, including winning 123 games over the last six seasons, finishing fifth or better in the Big Ten standings four times, and capturing a Big Ten Tournament title in 2022. His teams were known for their high-scoring offense, leading the Big Ten in scoring for five consecutive seasons and finishing second in 2024.
McCaffery's coaching style, characterized by an up-tempo approach, has resonated with players, as evidenced by Iowa's impressive scoring averages. The team averaged more than 83 points per game in consecutive seasons for the first time in 27 years, and they led Division I in assist-to-turnover ratio in both 2021 and 2022.
Before his successful stint at Iowa, McCaffery enjoyed a fruitful tenure at Siena, where he guided the program to unprecedented heights, including three consecutive conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. His teams at Siena defeated notable opponents such as Vanderbilt and Ohio State in NCAA play, further solidifying his reputation as a top-tier coach.
Prior to Siena, McCaffery built a strong program at UNC Greensboro, leading the Spartans to their first 20-win season since joining the Southern Conference and earning accolades such as GPAC Coach of the Year and Rawlings NAIA National Coach of the Year.
McCaffery began his coaching career as an assistant at Penn, where he laid the groundwork for his future success. His journey in coaching has been marked by a commitment to player development and fostering a positive team culture.
Off the court, McCaffery and his family have been active supporters of the Coaches vs. Cancer initiative and the American Cancer Society, raising over $5 million since he took the helm at Iowa. His dedication to community service earned him recognition with the Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award in 2015.
As McCaffery prepares to embark on this new chapter at Penn, he expresses excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. "I am excited and honored to return to my alma mater and the city of Philadelphia to lead the Penn men's basketball program," he said. "It is a program that I have fond memories of from my previous time there as a student-athlete and assistant coach. My vision is to return Penn to prominence in the Ivy League and beyond and bring an exciting style of play to The Palestra."
With a storied history and a bright future ahead, Penn fans are eager to see how McCaffery will shape the next chapter of Quakers basketball.
