Connor McCaffery

Last updated
Connor McCaffery
Current position
TitleAssistant coach
Team Butler
Conference Big East Conference
Biographical details
Born (1998-07-13) July 13, 1998 (age 27)
South Bend, Indiana
Playing career
Basketball
2017–2023 Iowa
Baseball
2018 Iowa
Positions Guard (basketball)
Outfielder (baseball)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2024–present Butler (assistant)
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
2023–2024 Indiana Pacers (team assistant)

Connor John McCaffery (born July 13, 1998) is an American college basketball coach who is an assistant coach of the Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team.

Contents

Early life and playing career

McCaffery was born in South Bend, Indiana where his father, Fran McCaffery was an assistant basketball coach at Notre Dame. He spent his early childhood in Greensboro, North Carolina while Fran was the head basketball coach at UNC Greensboro until moving to Albany, New York after his father became the head coach at Siena. McCaffery moved with his family to Iowa City, Iowa at age 12 when his father was named the head coach at the University of Iowa. [1] He attended Iowa City West High School. McCaffery averaged 19.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per game as a senior. [2] He committed to play both college basketball and baseball at Iowa. [3]

McCaffery initially intended to redshirt his freshman basketball season with the Iowa Hawkeyes, but ultimately started the season playing off the bench. [4] However, he suffered a labrum injury and used a medical redshirt. [5] McCaffery batted .238 during his freshman baseball season before choosing to focus solely on basketball. [6] McCaffery decided to utilize the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes who played in the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and return to Iowa for a sixth year. [7] Over the course of his college career, he played in 166 games and averaged 4.5 points and 3.2 assists per game. [8]

Coaching career

McCaffery began his coaching career with an entry-level position as a team assistant for the Indiana Pacers in 2023. [9] After one season with the Pacers he was hired as an assistant coach at Butler. [10]

Personal life

McCaffery's father, Fran McCaffery, played college basketball at Wake Forest and Penn before entering coaching. [11] His mother, Margaret, played basketball at Notre Dame and was an All-American. [1] His younger brother, Patrick, played college basketball at Iowa and Butler and his other younger brother, Jack, plays at Butler. [12]

McCaffery is in a relationship with former Iowa and current WNBA player Caitlin Clark. [13]

References

  1. 1 2 Quinn, Brendan (March 14, 2022). "What this magical Iowa run means to the real Fran McCaffery: 'Nobody really knows him'". The Athletic . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  2. Johnson, Jeff (March 25, 2017). "All-area boys' basketball: Connor McCaffery ignores critics, proves his worth on court". The Gazette . Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  3. "Connor McCaffery will play baseball at Iowa, redshirt first year in basketball". The Gazette . April 28, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  4. "Iowa star recruit Connor McCaffery will play this season". ESPN.com . Associated Press. October 31, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  5. "Report: Connor McCaffery cleared to return to basketball activities". OurQuadCities.com. August 24, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  6. Leistikow, Chad (December 17, 2021). "Leistikow: Connor McCaffery's two-sport Iowa journey didn't go as planned. He's stayed positive anyway". HawkCentral.com. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  7. Reister, Scott (April 21, 2022). "Connor McCaffery returning for sixth year". KCCI.com. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  8. Bahns, Carter (March 14, 2025). "Connor McCaffery reacts to Iowa basketball coaching change". 247Sports.com . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  9. "Connor McCaffery, son of Iowa coach, joins Pacers' staff". ESPN.com . Reuters. May 29, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  10. East, Tony (September 13, 2024). "Connor McCaffery leaving role with Indiana Pacers for coaching job at Butler University per reports". SI.com . Retrieved January 8, 2026.
  11. Dochterman, Scott (October 6, 2022). "Connor and Patrick McCaffery on their dad's all-time Iowa starting 5, winning Big Ten". The Athletic . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  12. Glaspie, Akeem (October 2, 2024). "The Brothers McCaffery: How three Iowa boys found a home with Butler basketball". Indianapolis Star . Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  13. Horner, Scott (July 8, 2025). "'Appreciate the new kicks': Caitlin Clark hooks up Butler basketball with new Nikes". Indianapolis Star . Retrieved January 15, 2026.