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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa head women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder announced several staff changes on Friday. Abby Stamp has been promoted to interim assistant coach, Kathryn Reynolds has been promoted to director of player development, while associate head coach Jenni Fitzgerald will now serve as a special assistant to the head coach.
The search for a new director of operations is ongoing.
“I am excited to add a new position to our staff and find a different role for Jenni to assist our program,” Bluder said. “With the change, we have found a way for Jenni to take a step back but keep her expertise within our program.
“I am excited to have Abby begin her journey as an assistant coach. She is a loyal Hawkeye and has a very talented basketball mind.”
Fitzgerald, a native of Long Grove, Iowa, completed her 19th season on the Iowa sidelines in 2019. She has helped the Hawkeyes to 18 postseason appearances, including 13 NCAA Tournament berths and an Elite Eight appearance in 2019.
Under Fitzgerald, Iowa perimeter players have garnered numerous awards. She has coached 14 players to a total of 31 All-Big Ten honors, including 11 first team selections. She has mentored six all-district honorees, one All-American, and four honorable mention All-Americans.
Fitzgerald has coached four WNBA draft picks, including three athletes that made WNBA rosters. Sam Logic was a first round selection in 2015 (10th overall, Atlanta Dream).
“After being in Division I basketball for the past 33 years – four as a player and 29 as a coach – I have decided it is time to take a step back from coaching and assume a different role within our basketball program,” said Fitzgerald.
“I have been incredibly fortunate to coach so many wonderful players over the past 29 years, and I don’t know if I can truly put into words how much coaching at the University of Iowa has meant to me. The coaches, players, administration, support staff, and fans are the best in the country. I’m excited to take on this new role within our basketball program and help keep Iowa women’s basketball moving forward.”
Stamp completed her 10th season with the Iowa women’s basketball program in 2019. After spending eight seasons as Iowa’s director of operations, Stamp was promoted to director of player development in 2017. Stamp was also a member of the Iowa women’s basketball team from 2005-08.
Over the last 10 years, Stamp has worked closely with Iowa student-athletes, helping them develop into strong leaders and role models in the Iowa City community. She has also assisted the basketball staff in day-to-day activities of the program, and served as Iowa’s chief scheduler – building one of the most exciting and demanding schedules in the country.
Reynolds completed her second season as director of basketball operations in 2019. During the past two years, she has worked closely with the Hawkeye basketball staff, coordinating and carrying out day-to-day activities of the program. She was responsible for arranging team travel, supervising public service opportunities, and coordinating summer camps and training tables.
Reynolds was a member of the Iowa women’s basketball team from 2011-15. The 2015 co-captain played a pivotal role in Iowa’s 2015 Sweet Sixteen run.
