March 27 (UPI) — The Penn Quakers hired Fran McCaffery as their new men’s basketball coach, the school announced Thursday.
The former Iowa coach, who was fired earlier this month, led the Hawkeyes to a 297-207 record over the last 15 years. He will take over a Quakers program that went 7-21 over the last two seasons.
“I am thrilled to bring Fran back to Penn and Philadelphia as our next head men’s basketball coach,” Quakers athletic director Alanna Wren said. “Fran has had success at every level of Division I and is passionate about restoring our program to glory.
“His energy and enthusiasm for leading young men was apparent throughout the process and he has proven to be committed to player development and relationship-building with his student-athletes throughout his storied career.”
The Quakers fired former coach Steve Donahue on March 10. Donahue led the Quakers to a 131-130 record over the last 10 seasons, including an 8-19 mark in 2024-25.
“I am excited and honored to return to my alma mater and the city of Philadelphia to lead the Penn men’s basketball program,” McCaffery said. “It is a program that I have fond memories of from my previous time there as a student-athlete and assistant coach.
“My vision is to return Penn to prominence in the Ivy League and beyond and bring an exciting style of play to The Palestra.”
McCaffery, who also coached at Siena, UNC Greensboro and Lehigh, owns an overall record of 548-384. He brought 12 teams to the NCAA tournament.
The Quakers earned just one NCAA tournament appearance since 2007.
