The Iowa Hawkeyes women’s basketball team may be 3-0 this season, but they’ve already won the internet with their latest social media masterpiece. In a move equal parts hilarious and nostalgic, the team shared a throwback hype video featuring none other than assistant coach Jan Jensen—sporting her prime-time college basketball vibes from her Drake Bulldogs days.
The post, shared Friday, was captioned, “In honor of our matchup with Drake on Sunday, we present: The officially unofficial Coach J Mixtape 📽.” As you’d expect, fans, players, and even alumni couldn’t stop laughing. But the MVPs of the comment section were former Hawkeyes Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin, who chimed in with a roast session worthy of the Final Four.
Caitlin Clark Leads the Laugh Parade
Caitlin Clark, now dazzling in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever, went full-on disbelief mode upon seeing the vintage footage.
“This can’t be real,” she wrote, probably clutching her phone while crying-laughing. (We assume her comment would have come with the actual tears emoji if it wasn’t already banned in sports journalism etiquette.)
But she didn’t stop there. Clark hilariously observed that some things never change—even after decades.
“Bruh, she still shoots EXACTLY like this 😭,” she added, referring to Jensen’s delightfully unchanged shooting mechanics.
Kate Martin Gets in on the Fun
Not to be outdone, Kate Martin, now with the Las Vegas Aces, served her own sarcastic shot, echoing a phrase basketball purists hold dear.
“Shooters gonna shoot,” she quipped.
Because if there’s one rule of basketball—and life—it’s that you never stop gunning for the hoop. Even if the hoop existed in the VHS era.
From Witty Instagram Posts to Serious Hardwood Battles
While the video gave everyone a chance to laugh, it also served as a quirky reminder of Sunday’s big game. Iowa faces the Drake Bulldogs at 1 p.m. ET, and it’s safe to say Coach J will be front and center with a clipboard—not a mixtape.
Life After Clark & Martin: Jan Jensen’s Take
Iowa has had its fair share of transitions since Clark and Martin’s departure to the WNBA and Gabbie Marshall’s retirement. As they gear up for life without their generational stars, assistant coach Jan Jensen remains upbeat about the team’s ability to evolve.
Speaking at Big Ten media day, Jensen said, “They miss their friends, but they also know that was special and that was rare. But now it’s also their time.”
Translation? The Hawkeyes are ready to make some new mixtape-worthy memories.
Early Season Success
The 2023-24 Hawkeyes may have lost some big names, but they’re off to a blazing start with wins over Northern Illinois, Virginia Tech, and Toledo. Their chemistry is building, their grit is undeniable, and their sense of humor? Top-tier.
The Real Takeaway
Whether Jensen’s throwback video was meant to pump up fans or just serve as comedic gold, it worked. The Hawkeyes’ basketball program proves that while they might be serious about winning, they’re not above poking fun at themselves—and that might be their most valuable skill of all.
Drake might be the Bulldogs, but Iowa has the mixtape—and a pretty unbeatable sense of humor.