McCaffery was ejected in the second half of Iowa's 106-94 loss to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament. The ejection and subsequent defeat came amid widespread speculation that the 2024-25 season may be the Hawkeyes' last with McCaffrey at the helm.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are in year 15 under head coach Fran McCaffery, but it appears his time in Iowa City may be coming to an end. The Hawkeyes made the Big Ten Tournament as the last seed, thanks to new conference tournament rules that allow just 15 teams to qualify.

Iowa Hawkeyes forward Payton Sandfort (20) hugs Iowa Hawkeyes forward Even Brauns (0) in tears in the final seconds of the game Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the second round o