A Quiet Decision Behind the Scenes
Jodi Steyer, Iowa State’s associate head coach for women’s basketball, confirmed that the 2025‑26 season would be her final one before stepping away from coaching. She disclosed the decision to head coach Bill Fennelly early in the year, choosing to keep the news private to protect the team’s focus. The move concluded a career that stretched over twenty years and included prominent roles at both Toledo and Iowa State.
At Iowa State, Steyer became a cornerstone of the program’s resurgence, spearheading recruiting efforts that brought in top talent and helped maintain the Cyclones’ competitive edge. Her contributions extended beyond the court, influencing roster construction after a major overhaul and assisting in the transition to a new coaching staff. The final season featured a blend of victories and setbacks, culminating in a first‑round NCAA Tournament loss that underscored both the challenges and the progress made during her tenure.
Personal circumstances played a decisive role in Steyer’s departure. The relocation of her parents to Florida, the early death of her father during the 2025‑26 campaign, and the broader shift in college basketball — particularly the rise of NIL opportunities — combined to reshape her priorities. Steyer emphasized that her choice was rooted in family considerations rather than any disagreement with Fennelly or the athletic administration.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, Steyer’s legacy includes family ties to the program. Her son, Eric Steyer, walked on the Iowa State men’s basketball team, while her daughter, Jamie Steyer Johnson, serves as a color analyst for the team’s radio broadcasts. Prior to the public announcement, she reached out to recruits and assured fans that her retirement had no bearing on Bill Fennelly’s future, a narrative echoed by athletics director Jamie Pollard, who put speculation about Fennelly’s own plans to rest.
As she prepares to leave the sidelines, Steyer will turn her attention to personal projects and family life. Her departure marks the end of an era for one of the longest‑tenured coaches in Iowa State history, a figure whose impact resonated across recruiting, player development, and the broader basketball community.