One of the most respected and admired coaches in collegiate basketball, Lisa Bluder is in her eighth season as head women's basketball coach at the University of Iowa. Under Bluder's direction, the Hawkeyes have advanced to six post-season appearances (4 NCAA and 2 WNIT). She has posted a 127-87 (.593) record at Iowa and her 23-year record stands at 483-229 (.678). Her 127 wins at Iowa are the second-most of any Hawkeye women's basketball coach, behind Hall of Famer, C. Vivian Stringer (269 wins).
During her seven years at Iowa, Bluder has guided the Black and Gold to four first division finishes in the highly competitive Big Ten Conference. Iowa's 62 league wins the last seven seasons rank as the fifth-highest total in the conference behind Purdue (89), Ohio State (79), Penn State (76) and Michigan State (68).
She has coached five Hawkeye players to all-Big Ten first team status, three each to the second and third teams and three that were named all-freshman, including a Freshman of the Year (Megan Skouby). Additionally, three former Hawkeyes continued their playing careers professionally after graduation. Cara Consuegra, Lindsey Meder and Crystal Smith all had stints in the WNBA.
As a team, Iowa has ranked in the top-ten nationally in free throw percentage and top-25 in assists the last two years. Additionally, the Hawkeyes have ranked in the top-half of the Big Ten Conference in scoring and assists every season Bluder has been on the Iowa sidelines. Five of Iowa's top seven single-season assist averages and free throw percentages in the Hawkeye history books have come under Bluder.
Bluder garnered her 300th Division I victory vs. Indiana on Feb. 26, 2006. Last season, she reached two additional milestones, coaching in her 700th career game and her 200th on the Iowa sidelines.