Over her legendary collegiate career at Iowa, Caitlin Clark has become a generational name. The all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history with 3,951 points, Clark captivated fans with deep threes, jaw-dropping assists, and unmatched leadership. She was a two-time Naismith Player of the Year and the face of women’s college basketball. But behind every generational talent is a team of mentors and Clark recently took some moment to congratulate one of her mentors.
Caitlin Clark Had the Ultimate Praise for Raina Harmon
The former Iowa Hawkeyes superstar took to her Instagram Story to celebrate her former coach Raina Harmon’s new chapter—as the head coach at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU).
“It’s go eagles now!! @raina15 EARNED IT!!!!!” Clark wrote as the caption of the story.
Harmon joined the Iowa coaching staff in 2017, brought on by head coach Lisa Bluder. From day one, she made an impact. As an assistant coach she was crucial in player development, scouting, and game planning. In her eight seasons with the Hawkeyes she helped the team have five BIG10 Conference titles and maintained a record of 208-63.
But Harmon’s coaching chops aren’t limited to just being a great assistant. Before joining Iowa she was director of women’s basketball operations at Michigan.
FGCU is no stranger to success, and Harmon seems like the perfect fit to continue their winning tradition. The Eagles have made 11 rounds in the NCAA tournament and have also reached the second round four times. With Harmon now at the helm, expectations remain high.
“I am absolutely honored to be named the next head coach at Florida Gulf Coast University. This position is one of the best jobs in the country and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead such a prestigious program.”
“This program has a standard of excellence, and I can’t wait to build upon that legacy as I commit to developing our student-athletes on and off the court. I look forward to connecting with the FGCU community, our fans and most importantly, our players as we embark on this journey together,” said Harmon (as per FCGU)
Clark’s heartfelt support wasn’t just a friendly shoutout—it was a public stamp of approval. And considering all they accomplished together, her words carry serious weight. However Clark wasn’t the only Iowa player to congratulate her.
Harmon Received Praise From Another Iowa Player
As mentioned earlier, Harmon had spent eight years with the Hawkeyes. Over these years, she became a favorite among the players — a leader, a friend, and a dependable presence on and off the court. While Clark has already expressed her admiration, another former Iowa player and Clark’s former teammate has now shared her appreciation for Harmon.
Gabbie Marshall, who spent five seasons with the Hawkeyes, recently took to Instagram to show her support for Harmon.
“THIS IS AMAZING!! I’M SO PROUD OF YOU!!!! Blessings on blessings @raina15,” wrote Marshall as the caption of her Instagram story.
Marshall, who was known for her three-point shooting, played in 166 games during her college career. She and Clark both graduated in 2024, however while the latter chose to play in the big league, Marshall chose to pursue Masters degree in occupational therapy.
In the end, we can say that with Harmon now stepping into a new chapter, the Eagles have a bright future ahead.