When you think of Connor McCaffery, “calm and collected” might be the words that come to mind. Well, Patrick McCaffery just turned that narrative upside down with a bombshell on The Bulldog Bark Podcast. Turns out, Connor’s cool exterior masks a competitor so fierce that even a casual family game could end in punches. Yep, you read that right.
The McCaffery Brothers’ Court Battles: “We Punch Each Other”
Patrick McCaffery, the younger brother of Butler University’s new assistant coach, revealed that their sibling rivalry got so heated during one-on-one basketball games that they had to call it quits. “We didn’t play one-on-one for a really long time because we would fight, and it would get bad—like we’d punch each other,” Patrick admitted. Who knew a friendly brotherly match could turn into a mini-UFC event?
Now, if you’ve seen Connor on the sidelines, you might find it hard to believe. But apparently, underneath that “sharp basketball IQ” is a fire that could probably power an entire arena’s lighting system. Talk about passion for the game!
Connor’s Move to Coaching—And Caitlin Clark’s Sideline Support
But it’s not all sibling warfare for Connor. Since transitioning from playing at Iowa (where he famously had one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in NCAA history), he’s taken that intensity to the bench as Butler’s assistant coach. And who’s been there every step of the way? None other than Indiana Fever’s WNBA star, Caitlin Clark. This basketball power couple is literally giving us goals.
Clark, fresh off a break from basketball after the Fever’s playoff exit, has been spotted cheering from the sidelines, showing her support for Connor’s new coaching career. And let’s be honest, when Caitlin Clark shows up at your practice, that’s probably worth at least 10 motivational speeches.
“Mutual Support Goals” (No Punches Involved)
In the age of Instagram love, Clark has also been there to hype Connor up online, congratulating him when he joined Butler’s staff. And while she might be hitting the greens instead of the court during her off-season, the couple is navigating their careers side by side.
So, to summarize: Connor McCaffery may have the calm demeanor of a monk, but according to his brother, his competitive fire could set the court ablaze. And while he’s conquering the coaching world, Caitlin Clark’s unwavering support from both the sidelines and social media shows us that love and basketball go hand in hand—without the punches (hopefully).