Caitlin Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, has been on the receiving end of criticism from Iowa Hawkeyes fans amid the team’s strong run this season. Iowa coach Ben McCollum has led the team to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight, in a run that media members have described as “improbable.”
On Saturday, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy lauded the Hawkeyes’ run and compared former coach Fran McCaffery and Ben McCollum. Portnoy suggested that McCollum had accomplished more with Iowa in one season than McCaffery did in 15 seasons.
Connor McCaffery apparently called Portnoy to address the criticism of his father. Portnoy gave an account of the conversation during a podcast appearance on Friday.
“He’s (McCaffery) like, ‘I’m disappointed,’” Portnoy said. “I was like, ‘your boy over here was crushing Iowa fans being like, the grass is not always greener,’ I like Fran McCaffery, but What this new guy has done. You can’t argue with it.”
A clip of Portnoy recollecting his conversation with McCaffery was shared on X, where it amassed more than 441,000 views.
Some fans criticized McCaffery’s stance. Fans also brought Caitlin Clark into the mix, urging her to break up with the former Hawkeyes guard.
“The world needs CC to dump that loser asap,” one fan said.
“Connor McCaffery calling Barstool/Dave Portnoy to complain about them talking up Ben and the Hawks is such a bad look. Also, is Caitlin Clark aware that the Hawks are in the Elite Eight? Come on @CaitlinClark22,” another fan said.
“Respected his growth and toughness as a player, but the dude is nuts. CC could do so much better. Obviously Connor will do anything to hold on to his meal ticket,” one fan commented.
“Caitlin needs to dump him,” another fan wrote.
“Wow. @CaitlinClark22 run for the hills,” a fan wrote.
McCaffery is not the only one being criticized; some have also questioned Caitlin Clark, accusing her of being silent during the Hawkeyes’ run this season.
Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery’s relationship is deeply rooted in Iowa
Caitlin Clark and Connor McCaffery started dating in 2023, during Clark’s senior year with the Hawkeyes.
McCaffery, meanwhile, was serving as the Indiana Pacers’ Basketball Development Coordinator. He also played for the Hawkeyes, appearing in 166 games, averaging 4.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
Clark was with the Hawkeyes for four seasons and averaged 28.4 points, 8.9 assists and 7.4 rebounds per game through 139 appearances. She finished her collegiate career as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I history.
The Hawkeyes retired Clark’s No. 22 jersey in Feb. 2025. She and McCaffery attended the event together.
With both Clark and McCaffery having deep ties to Iowa, fans have directed criticism at the couple amid the Hawkeyes’ NCAA Tournament run this season.
