Ben McCollum is now the head coach of the school he grew up cheering for. The former Drake coach was introduced as the 23rd basketball coach at Iowa. McCollum led Drake to a school record 31 wins and a trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He takes over a Hawkeye program that has missed the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons.
McCollum grew up watching Tom Davis coached teams in the 90’s and wants his team to have the personality of the late Chris Street.
McCollum says his teams have thrived by being tough and unselfish.
Drake was the top defensive team in the country this season and McCollum says that starts by being efficient on offense no matter what the pace of play is.
Some of McCollum’s players at Drake could be joining the Iowa program and he also hopes to retain several of the current Hawkeye players who are in the transfer portal.
McCollum says he took the Drake job because of its potential to win a championship and feels that can also be accomplished at Iowa.
McCollum says the transfer portal is a valuable tool to rebuild a roster but it is about getting the right kind of players.
McCollum replaces Fran McCaffery, who was fired after 15 years at the helm.
