Former Notre Dame women's basketball coach Muffet McGraw recently shed light on Caitlin Clark's decision to decommit from Notre Dame and ultimately choose Iowa. McGraw, speaking on the "Good Game With Sarah Spain" podcast, revealed that Clark's commitment to Notre Dame always felt tentative. She described it as a "soft commitment," noting Clark's indecisiveness before eventually saying, "I want to come." However, McGraw sensed it wasn't a resounding declaration.
McGraw even went so far as to say that had Clark chosen Notre Dame, she might still be coaching. She retired in April 2020, just months before Clark would have started her freshman year.
Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw reacts on the sidelines against UConn during the women's Final Four at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, on April 5, 2019. (Jasen Vinlove-USA Today Sports)
The anticipation surrounding Clark's decision was prolonged, as NCAA regulations require players to announce their commitments themselves. McGraw recounted anxiously waiting for the news, only to learn that Clark had chosen Iowa. Although disappointed, McGraw acknowledged that it was "probably a pretty good decision" for Clark.
Clark's decision to choose Iowa over Notre Dame has been discussed before. In a previous interview with ESPN, Clark revealed that her family had preferred Notre Dame, even referencing the iconic film "Rudy." She admitted to grappling with the decision, eventually choosing Iowa based on a gut feeling and a desire to stay closer to home.
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark cheers during Big Ten Women's Basketball Championship against Nebraska at the at Target Center on March 10, 2024 in Minneapolis. (Angelina Katsanis/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
Clark's time at Iowa proved to be remarkably successful. She shattered records, becoming the all-time leading scorer in college basketball history (men's or women's), and led the Hawkeyes to two national championship game appearances. Her college career also led her to meet her current boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, son of Iowa men's basketball coach Fran McCaffery.
Caitlin Clark dribbles down the court at the All Iowa Attack Basketball Fieldhouse on April 22, 2017, in Ames, Iowa. (Luke Lu/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Clark's success continued into the WNBA, where she was drafted first overall by the Indiana Fever, won Rookie of the Year, and earned a spot on the All-Star team. She even garnered Time magazine's Athlete of the Year award in 2024.
While Iowa thrived with Clark, Notre Dame experienced more moderate success. Under coach Niele Ivey, the Fighting Irish made three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances but fell short of reaching the championship game.
This retrospective on Clark's college decision highlights the impact a single choice can have on multiple programs and the trajectory of individual careers.
