“My travel buddy is a goat” — Jan Jensen hypes up Lisa Bluder as former Iowa HC joins her on a trip

Jan Jensen became the new head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team on May 15, 2024, following former HC Lisa Bluder's retirement.

In an Instagram story, Jensen shared several pictures from Iowa's team camp week on Sunday, including one with Lisa Bluder seated inside an airplane. Jensen playfully refers to Bluder as a GOAT (greatest of all time).

"Hey! Hey! My travel buddy is a [goat] today!" Jensen wrote on her story.

Jan Jensen posted a picture with Lisa Bluder on her Insta story (Credits: Jan Jensen/Instagram)

Jan Jensen and Lisa have a longstanding connection dating back to the 1980s. Jensen joined Drake University in 1987, and during her senior season, Lisa Bluder assumed the role of head coach at Drake.

However, Jan was not happy with Bluder's hiring at first.

"It's kind of, are you kidding me, right? New coach. I'm a senior," Jensen said. "And then it ended up being really the best thing. She was just tremendous. She was really just a player's coach and intense but knew how to make it fun. Obviously, it benefited me."

After finishing her playing career, Jensen returned to Drake as an assistant coach, becoming part of Bluder's coaching team. Jensen assumed the roles of Bluder's first assistant and recruiting coordinator during her time at Drake.

Bluder moved on to become the head coach at the University of Iowa after her time at Drake. She brought along Jensen as an assistant coach, and together, they kept up their successful partnership. Under Bluder and Jensen, Iowa won five Big Ten tournaments and two Big Ten regular season titles.

In May 2024, Bluder announced her retirement and Jensen was revealed as the Hawkeyes' new head coach shortly after. Iowa shared a photo on Instagram showing the pair embracing as Bluder exited the coaching role to make way for Jensen, with the caption:

"Passing the torch."

Jan Jensen organized a successful basketball camp

Iowa's new head coach Jan Jensen and her staff successfully coordinated a basketball camp week for young girls that commenced on June 18.

Former Iowa star Caitlin Clark also made an appearance virtually via FaceTime.

B1G shoutout to Abby Emmert Stamp for her incredible directing of camp! And, she creatively found a way to have Caitlin Clark make an "appearance"! Our incredible staff & our Hawks also brought the energy!"

Jensen also shared her appreciation for all the campers and families who attended and contributed to the lively atmosphere of the camp.