Iowa has officially hired Ben McCollum as the new head coach of its men’s basketball program, marking a significant transition for the Hawkeyes following the firing of Fran McCaffery earlier this month. McCollum, who recently concluded a successful season leading the Drake Bulldogs, brings a wealth of experience and a storied track record to Iowa City.
McCollum’s appointment was announced on March 24, 2025, by Iowa Athletics Director Beth Goetz, identifying him as the 23rd head coach in the history of the Hawkeye basketball program. “We are excited to welcome Coach McCollum and his family back to Iowa City,” said Goetz. “Ben has a track record of success both on and off the court. His talent for developing student-athletes and fostering a strong team culture has been evident throughout his career.”
At the age of 43, McCollum arrives at Iowa with an impressive coaching record of 426-95 over his 16-year career, which includes four NCAA Division II national championships during his tenure at Northwest Missouri State University. Under his guidance, Northwest Missouri State became a powerhouse in Division II, winning 11 MIAA regular-season titles and compiling a remarkable record, including a perfect 38-0 season.
In his inaugural season coaching at the Division I level, McCollum led Drake to a 31-4 record, winning both the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and tournament championships. Notably, he guided the Bulldogs to their first NCAA tournament’s round of 32 appearance since 1971, a feat that underscores his coaching prowess.
The Bulldogs achieved significant victories, including a first-round win against sixth-seeded Missouri (67-57) before falling to third-seeded Texas Tech (77-64) in the second round of the tournament. McCollum expressed his excitement for his new role at Iowa, commenting, “Returning to Iowa City as the head coach of the Hawkeyes is a dream come true for me and my family. The passion of Hawkeye fans is unmatched, and I am incredibly excited to get started on this new journey together.”
The hiring comes on the heels of Iowa’s disappointing 2024-25 season, where the team finished with a 17-16 record and missed the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year. This disappointing performance, combined with declining attendance at Carver-Hawkeye Arena—averaging only 5,176 fans per game, the lowest in six decades—was a catalyst for significant changes within the program. The Hawkeyes previously experienced a high level of success under McCaffery, who is the winningest coach in team history but faced limitations in postseason achievements, with no advancement past the first weekend of the NCAA tournament since 1999.
The transition to McCollum represents not just a shift in coaching philosophy but also the potential for reinvigorating the fan base and program. While McCaffery’s teams were characterized by a faster, offensive-driven style, McCollum’s approach may emphasize a more deliberate pace, as evidenced by Drake’s ranking of 364th among Division I teams in adjusted tempo this season. However, McCollum's teams historically have balanced this style with strong offensive and defensive efficiency rankings—74th in offensive efficiency and 40th in defensive efficiency this past season.
Looking ahead, McCollum will strive to rejuvenate the Iowa program, bringing with him a vision for sustained success and rigorous player development. His recruitment efforts will be pivotal, especially in light of the previous structural challenges the program faces, particularly regarding name, image, and likeness (NIL) resources, which have lagged behind many of their Big Ten competitors. This shift in coaching leadership opens new avenues for support and engagement from both fans and alumni.
With the NCAA tournament experience and a winning pedigree, McCollum’s hiring is both a strategic maneuver and a heartfelt return to his roots, as he hails from Iowa City and is a Storm Lake native. Under his leadership, Iowa hopes to turn the tide and build a competitive future in college basketball, which has faced challenges. As the excitement builds within the Hawkeye community, McCollum’s introductory news conference is scheduled for March 25, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., marking the official beginning of his tenure with the program.
