The schedule has never been simple for Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery. Flights, games, film sessions—balancing life and basketball is something they’ve mastered. Through it all, they’ve always found a way to show up for each other, no matter how packed their calendars get. One night, Clark is courtside at Butler, pulling for McCaffery and his team. The next, he’s in the stands for an Iowa game, just like he was all those years when she took the college basketball world by storm.
But sometimes, even for them, the timing doesn’t work out. This week, McCaffery prepares for a major milestone in his coaching career. While Clark finds herself on the opposite side of the country, locked into an event she couldn’t miss.
She took the stage at the NFL’s annual league meeting, joining Serena Williams for a panel on women’s sports and flag football. Social media lit up. One fan on X wrote, “Caitlin Clark looks absolutely stunning.” Dressed in red and flashing a big smile, she shared the spotlight with some of the biggest names in sports.
Caitlin Clark looks absolutely stunning pic.twitter.com/upFoHCTHXa
— Logo Bomb (@from__the__logo) March 30, 2025
The NFL’s annual league meeting runs through Tuesday. It brings together owners, coaches, and league officials to hash out rule changes, policies, and the future of the game. This year’s hot topics? Possible kickoff rule changes, expanding to an 18-game season, and the rapid rise of women’s flag football.
Enter Caitlin Clark. She and Lisa Williams joined a panel hosted by Mellody Hobson, part-owner of the Denver Broncos, with none other than Eli Manning also in the mix. The NFL is paying close attention to women’s flag football. It’s blowing up at the high school and college levels. Also, it is set to make its Olympic debut in 2028.
While Clark was making waves at the NFL event, Connor McCaffery was gearing up for his own big moment. As an assistant coach at Butler, he’s about to step onto the sidelines for his first NCAA Tournament game. That would be a massive milestone in his coaching career. Butler takes on Utah in the College Basketball Crown on Monday, marking McCaffery’s official tournament debut as a coach.
Normally, Clark would be there—just like when she rocked a Butler hat and locked in near the bench during their Big East Tournament matchup against St. John’s. She’s played this double-duty role before, bouncing between Iowa games and Butler showdowns, always making sure she’s there for McCaffery.
But this time? She’s missing his big game. The NFL event takes priority, a rare moment where work pulls her away from supporting him courtside. Still, you know she’ll be keeping tabs. Whether it’s a shoutout, a social media post, or a quick call before tip-off, she’ll find a way to show her support.
Connor’s moment is here, and even if she’s not in the stands, you can bet she’s still cheering him on.
Caitlin Clark’s boyfriend Connor makes NCAA coaching debut
Connor McCaffery is flipping the script on his basketball journey. The former Iowa standout is trading in his sneakers for a clipboard, stepping into his first NCAA Tournament experience as an assistant coach for Butler. And he’s doing it in style—under the neon glow of Las Vegas at the inaugural College Basketball Crown.
Butler kicks off the action on Monday against Utah in this brand-new, 16-team showdown, backed by AEG and FOX Sports. The Bulldogs haven’t seen the court since March 13, when they took an L against top-seeded St. John’s in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals. Now, they’re rolling into Sin City with redemption on their minds.
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark poses for a photo with Connor McCaffery after a NCAA Big Ten Conference women’s basketball game against Michigan, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
On the other side, Utah is dealing with some serious turbulence. The Utes just hit the reset button, bringing in Dallas Mavericks assistant Alex Jensen as their new head coach after firing Craig Smith in February. But here’s the twist—Jensen won’t take over until the NBA season wraps up. That leaves interim coach Josh Eilert steering the ship. All this is happening while Utah’s roster is in full-on transfer portal chaos (seriously, seven players, including key starters, have already packed their bags).
Meanwhile, Butler is keeping it low-drama. The Bulldogs (14-19) have had their ups and downs, but they’re holding it together. Their secret weapon? Jahmyl Telfort, who’s been on absolute fire—shooting 53% and dropping 16.8 points per game over the last 10 matchups. Utah, on the other hand, is banking on Gabe Madsen, a three-point sniper who lets it fly like he’s auditioning for the Splash Brothers.
For McCaffery, this game is a whole new vibe. He’s no stranger to high-pressure moments as a player, but calling the shots from the bench in a win-or-go-home tournament? That’s a different level of stress. He’s spent years watching March Madness unfold from the court—now, he’s living it from the sidelines. Buckle up because this next chapter is about to get real.
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