Notre Dame coach discusses potential return if Caitlin Clark reconsiders commitment.

Caitlin Clark's decommitment from Notre Dame women's basketball program during her recruiting process in 2019 has been revealed by former coach Muffet McGraw.

On the "Good Game With Sarah Spain" podcast on Tuesday, McGraw stated that if Clark honored her commitment to Notre Dame, McGraw might still be the coach there. McGraw retired from coaching in April 2020, just before Clark's freshman year.

McGraw stated that he may continue coaching if Caitlin Clark decided to attend Notre Dame.

Clark verbally committed to playing at Notre Dame, but McGraw never felt certain about it.

"McGraw stated that she had a feeling that her commitment was not fully committed when she made the decision, as she couldn't decide. However, after some time, she finally declared her desire to join, but it was not a firm decision, but rather a statement of her decision-making process."

On Nov. 12, 2019, McGraw discovered that she would miss out on Clark, as he had announced his commitment to Iowa.

""We waited for her to announce it, as we're not allowed to do so ourselves. She made the announcement later, and I kept asking when it was coming out. When she made the announcement, she was going to Iowa, but she called me to tell me," McGraw said."

After discovering she wouldn't be coaching Clark, McGraw retired at the end of the 2019-20 season, ending her 33-year coaching career that resulted in two national championships in 2001 and 2018.

McGraw stated that Clark's decision to leave her program for Iowa was likely a wise choice.

ESPN previously reported that Clark's family wanted her to play for Notre Dame.

"Caitlin shared that her family wanted her to attend Notre Dame, but ultimately encouraged her to make her own decision. Despite their encouragement, Caitlin was determined to go to Notre Dame, as it was her favorite movie, "Rudy.""

During an interview on the "New Heights" podcast on Jan. 2, Clark discussed her experience visiting Notre Dame and her contemplation of playing for the Fighting Irish. However, she ultimately decided not to play there due to a gut feeling.

"I knew instinctively that I shouldn't go there, as if it was written in my gut," Clark stated.

"During my college recruitment, I knew early on that I wanted to be in the Midwest, as a homebody who values family and staying close to home. This significantly reduced my options."

During her four-year college career at Iowa, Clark set numerous program and NCAA records, including the all-time leading scoring record among all college basketball players, both men and women.

While at Iowa, Clark met her current boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, who played on Iowa's men's basketball team for his father, head coach Fran McCaffery.

Notre Dame did well under Niele Ivey's leadership, making the NCAA tournament three years in a row from 2021-24. However, they lost in the regional semifinal all three times. In contrast, Clark led much deeper tournament runs in 2023 and 2024.

Clark led Iowa to two consecutive national championship game appearances, eventually becoming the top pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. McCaffery was already in Indiana working on the Pacers' coaching staff and is still in the city as he now works on Butler's men's basketball coaching staff.

In her rookie season, Clark was named WNBA Rookie of the Year, made the All-Star team, led the league in assists, and helped the Fever reach the playoffs.

In 2024, Clark was recognized as Time magazine's Athlete of the Year.

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