For the second time in a year a search for a new men’s basketball is underway at Drake. After leading the Bulldogs to a school record 31 wins and their deepest run in the NCAA Tournament in 54 years Ben McCollum was named the new coach at Iowa. He was the third different coach in eight years for a program that has enjoyed seven straight seasons of 20 wins or more and three straight trips to the NCAA Tournament.
That’s Drake athletic director Brian Hardin who says he was disappointed McCollum was not at Drake for more than one season.
With Niko Medved taking the job at Minnesota, Drake’s last three coaches are now working in the Big Ten.
Hardin was impressed with the way McCollum handled the contact he was receiving from other schools and says he remained focused on his Drake team throughout the process.
Hardin also lauded Iowa AD Beth Goetz for how she handled the search.
Hardin says contact with Iowa began when they returned from the NCAA Tournament late Sunday morning and McCollum informed him on Monday morning that he was taking the Iowa job.
KIWA Staff Photo
