Des Moines, Iowa (RI) – Eric Henderson felt Drake was the perfect fit.
After a six-year run at South Dakota State that included four conference titles and two trips to the NCAA Tournament, Henderson was officially introduced as the new basketball coach at Drake. He replaces Ben McCollum, who took the job at Iowa after leading the Bulldogs to a school record 31 wins and the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
He takes over a Drake program that is riding a streak of seven-straight seasons of 20 wins or more and three-straight trips to the NCAA Tournament.
Henderson is the third-straight Iowa native to lead the program, following McCollum and Darian DeVries.
Henderson admits there is pressure to keep the winning going, but says it is about the process and not having a goal of winning a championship.
Henderson is working on rebuilding the roster and says right now the Bulldogs have enough for a starting five and one reserve.
Henderson hopes to have the roster finalized at the start of summer.
Drake AD Brian Hardin says Henderson’s ability to manage a roster and succeed despite defections made him an attractive candidate.
Once considered a coaching graveyard, Drake has become one of the top mid-major programs in the country.
KIWA Staff Photo
