Skip to main content
Dear Old Gold
Fansided

A familiar face is sticking around in Iowa City after a well-earned promotion

After a four-year playing career and one as a GA, a Hawkeye staple isn't going anywhere
ByJordan Underwood
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Iowa assistant coach Abby Stamp, left, and special assistant to the head coach Sydney Affolter, center, listen to coach Jan Jensen Oct. 13, 2026 during an Iowa women’s basketball practice at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa assistant coach Abby Stamp, left, and special assistant to the head coach Sydney Affolter, center, listen to coach Jan Jensen Oct. 13, 2026 during an Iowa women’s basketball practice at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

After all the turnover Iowa has experienced over the last three years, the program made an important announcement about a member of Jan Jensen's staff.

The program enjoyed years of stability with legendary head coach Lisa Bluder, including Jensen as an assistant. After Bluder retired, Jensen promotion to head coach was a no-brainer, but the program has experienced some turnover since she took over. The program lost long-time assistant coach and recruiting ace Raina Harmon after she took the head coach job at Florida Gulf Coast University, and five players left via the transfer portal just last season. With all that instability, it was great to see a program staple stick around.

Former player and grad assistant Sydney Affolter earned a promotion

Former Iowa players have done well in the coaching ranks after leaving the program, including former fan favorite Molly Davis. The Evansville women's basketball program promoted Davis to an assistant coach earlier this year before she eventually took a similar role with Eastern Kentucky University. Now, another former Hawkeye player and current member of the coaching staff also earned a promotion that keeps her in Iowa City.

Before joining Jensen's staff as a graduate assistant, Sydney Affolter was a key member of the Iowa program during the Caitlin Clark era. Affolter helped the team reach back-to-back National Championship game appearances in 2023 and 2024. Affolter played in 128 games with 44 starts, and averaged career highs in points (8.5) and rebounds (7.8) as a senior. Affolter was a perfect example of a player who knew her role and played it perfectly, and the program wouldn't have been as successful without her.

After a successful playing career, Affolter joined Jensen's staff as a graduate assistant before the 2025-2026 season and has now been named a Special Assistant to the Head Coach. Affolter brings a wealth of knowledge from her playing experience and her time as a graduate assistant during Iowa's 27-7 season last year. The program hasn't specified her exact job duties, but promoted her for a reason. Stability matters more than ever in the ever-changing college sports landscape, and Affolter provides that for Iowa women's basketball.

Add us as a preferred source on Google
Home/Iowa Women's Basketball