Five Fran McCaffery facts, from Philly 'White Magic' roots to Caitlin Clark ties
Penn is closing in on hiring former Quakers guard and longtime Iowa coach Fran McCaffery as its next head men's basketball coach, according to reports. You’ve probably heard of McCaffery before, but here are five facts you might not know about the local coach who’ll be manning the sidelines at the Palestra.
Penn is closing in on hiring former Quakers guard and longtime Iowa coach Fran McCaffery as its next head men's basketball coach, according to reports. You’ve probably heard of McCaffery before, but here are five facts you might not know about the local coach who’ll be manning the sidelines at the Palestra.
McCaffery grew up in Philadelphia and was nicknamed “White Magic” while playing in the Sonny Hill League. He was the only white player on his team, and the Evening Bulletin gave him the nickname, playing off a teammate, Lewis Lloyd, who had already been nicknamed “Black Magic.” His old Philly friends still call him Magic.
McCaffery grew up in Philadelphia and was nicknamed “White Magic” while playing in the Sonny Hill League. He was the only white player on his team, and the Evening Bulletin gave him the nickname, playing off a teammate, Lewis Lloyd, who had already been nicknamed “Black Magic.” His old Philly friends still call him Magic.
McCaffery has actually coached at his alma mater before. After graduating from Penn in 1982, he started his coaching career with the Quakers as an assistant the following year, before heading to Lehigh, and later to Notre Dame, UNC Greensboro, Siena, and ultimately Iowa.
McCaffery has actually coached at his alma mater before. After graduating from Penn in 1982, he started his coaching career with the Quakers as an assistant the following year, before heading to Lehigh, and later to Notre Dame, UNC Greensboro, Siena, and ultimately Iowa.
McCaffery is known to be … expressive with officials. He was ejected from his final game at Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament, and was ejected five times from games during his time at Iowa, earning 51 technical fouls during his tenure, among the most in college basketball over that period.
McCaffery is known to be … expressive with officials. He was ejected from his final game at Iowa in the Big Ten Tournament, and was ejected five times from games during his time at Iowa, earning 51 technical fouls during his tenure, among the most in college basketball over that period.
McCaffery might just become Caitlin Clark’s father-in-law. McCaffery coached two of his sons, Connor and Patrick, at Iowa, and during his time at the school, Connor started dating Clark. He’s now an assistant coach at Butler – but maybe we’ll see the Bulldogs at the Palestra this year?
McCaffery might just become Caitlin Clark’s father-in-law. McCaffery coached two of his sons, Connor and Patrick, at Iowa, and during his time at the school, Connor started dating Clark. He’s now an assistant coach at Butler – but maybe we’ll see the Bulldogs at the Palestra this year?
McCaffery is the winningest coach in Iowa history, and known for his high-scoring offenses. In the last three seasons, Iowa hasn’t averaged fewer than 80 points per game, ranking either first or second in the Big Ten each year.
McCaffery is the winningest coach in Iowa history, and known for his high-scoring offenses. In the last three seasons, Iowa hasn’t averaged fewer than 80 points per game, ranking either first or second in the Big Ten each year.