Iowa Women's basketball loses Raina Harmon to Florida Gulf Coast University

Hawkeyes' assistant coach leaves the program to take a head coaching position
Iowa’s assistant coach Raina Harmon directs players during practice Thursday, July 11, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa’s assistant coach Raina Harmon directs players during practice Thursday, July 11, 2024 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Iowa Women's Basketball season ended in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32 on March 24. The Hawkeyes fell 96-62 to three-seed Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners would lose in the next round to UConn.

The Hawkeyes entered the offseason after going 23-11 (10-8 Big Ten) and reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament. This is the seventh consecutive year the Hawkeyes received an NCAA Tournament invitation (a program record).

A big part of the Hawkeyes' success was assistant coach Raina Harmon. After eight seasons with the Hawkeyes, Harmon has left the program for a head coaching position.

On Friday morning, Harmon accepted an offer to be the next head coach for Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU).

The Eagles had an exceptional 2024-2025 season. After losing their first two games, FGCU only lost two more games during the remainder of the season. The Eagles finished the season 31-4, including a perfect 18-0 Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) record.

FGCU won their ninth straight conference tournament title and made the NCAA Tournament for the 11th time. After falling to Oklahoma in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, long-time coach Chelsea Lyles stepped down.

Harmon takes over for the Eagles after spending the last eight seasons with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Harmon was the director of scouting and worked primarily with perimeter players. She was a beloved assistant coach and extremely popular with her players.

Harmon had close relationships with Gabbie Marshall, Caitlin Clark, and Kate Martin, to name a few. Martin credits Harmon with improving her mental health as they frequently texted about non-basketball-related topics.

Kate Martin told the Des Moines Register last summer that she wants to have a similar impact in the future.

"When I think about the kind of coach I want to be or the impact I want to have one day I definitely think of her (Harmon)"
Kate Martin, former Hawkeye player

The Iowa program will have a tough time replacing Harmon. Fans and players loved her for her positive impact on and off the court.

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