Connor McCaffery Departs Butler After One Season As Assistant Coach
Connor McCaffery, the former Iowa basketball standout and son of Hawkeyes coach Fran McCaffery, has left his assistant coaching position at Butler after just one season. The unexpected move, confirmed by the university Friday, comes as the Bulldogs prepare for offseason roster changes under head coach Thad Matta.
McCaffery joined Butler's staff in April 2025 following his playing career at Iowa, where he set program records for games played. His departure creates another vacancy for a Butler program that went 17-15 last season. No reason was immediately given for the 26-year-old's exit.
The news gained traction Friday afternoon after Butler's official announcement, with #McCaffery trending on Midwest basketball Twitter. Fans speculated whether the move signals a potential reunion with his father at Iowa, though no official connection has been made.
Butler athletic director Barry Collier thanked McCaffery in a statement, praising his "basketball IQ and work ethic." The school said a national search for his replacement will begin immediately. McCaffery hasn't commented publicly on his next steps.
This marks the second straight year of staff turnover for Butler. The Bulldogs lost two assistants last offseason before hiring McCaffery, who was considered a rising star in coaching circles. His player development work was credited with helping Butler freshman guard AJ Williams earn Big East All-Freshman honors.
College basketball analysts noted the timing is unusual, with the transfer portal window open until May 1. Butler currently has three open scholarships and is actively pursuing transfers. McCaffery's departure comes one week after the Bulldogs missed the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year.
The move is trending nationally due to McCaffery's high-profile family connections and Butler's position as a historic mid-major program. Some Iowa fans immediately began campaigning on social media for his potential return to the Hawkeyes program where he played from 2017-2023.
Butler opens its 2026-27 season November 10 against in-state rival Evansville. The program will now face increased scrutiny over how quickly it can fill McCaffery's role during this critical recruiting period.
