Get to Know New Iowa Men’s Basketball Coach Ben McCollum
PHOTO: HAWKEYESPORTS.COM
New Iowa men's basketball coach Ben McCollum speaks at his introductory news conference in March at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
PHOTO: HAWKEYESPORTS.COM
Ben McCollum dreamed of playing for the Hawkeyes when he was a child growing up in Storm Lake, Iowa. While that aspiration never came to fruition, in March, he became Iowa’s 23rd head men’s basketball coach. McCollum accepted the position just days after leading Drake to its first victory in the NCAA Tournament since 1971 and a program-best 31 wins. As a new era begins for Iowa men’s basketball, here are 10 things to know about McCollum.
1.Iowa Ties
McCollum was born in Iowa City and grew up attending Hawkeye men’s basketball and football games. A Hawkeye basketball camp participant, he earned an MVP award and praise for his competitiveness from former Iowa assistant basketball coach Bruce Pearl. McCollum’s mother, Mary Timko (79BA, 82JD, 84MA), is an Iowa alumna.
2.Streetball
At his introductory press conference, McCollum referenced his Hawkeye idol to describe how his team would play. “Have you ever seen Chris Street play?” he asked. “The intensity, the energy, the effort, the enthusiasm, the joy, the servant mentality, the toughness. Everything that Iowa stands for is what our team is going to look like.”
3.On the Court
McCollum played for former Hawkeye Steve Krafcisin (81BS) at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa. He played his final two seasons at Northwest Missouri State, where he helped lead the team to its first Elite Eight appearance.
4.Rare Air
In 16 years as a head coach, McCollum has won 81.8% of his games, ranking fifth all-time among collegiate men’s basketball coaches. Before he led Drake to Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and tournament crowns in his lone season with the Bulldogs, McCollum guided Northwest Missouri State to four NCAA Division II national titles and 12 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association regular-season titles.
PHOTO: HAWKEYESPORTS.COM
Ben McCollum is greeted by fans as he arrives at Carver-Hawkeye Arena after being named the Hawkeyes' new coach in March.
5.Impose Your Will
Inspired by the tactical book The Art of War, McCollum instills this motto in his teams. It represents how he wants his players to take control of the situation or opponent, whether it’s how they approach offense, defense, the weight room, or an official’s call. “It’s just an attack mentality; [it] creates that level of urgency that we need,” says McCollum.
6.Accomplished Accolades
McCollum was named the Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year after Drake’s historic season. A five-time National Association of Basketball Coaches’ Coach of the Year, McCollum also earned the 2019 John McClendon Award, which is presented annually to the top coach among all levels of basketball.
7.Dress for Success
McCollum wears a white dress shirt and team-colored tie at every game. “I’ve always thought that that’s what I needed to wear to look like a pro,” he says. “And then it just becomes comfortable and then you get superstitious.”
8.Big Ben
McCollum landed his first big commitment with the Hawkeyes when Drake star and Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year Bennett Stirtz followed him to Iowa. “If he’s not the best point guard in the country, he’s top two or three,” says McCollum, who also retained promising Iowa redshirt freshman forward Cooper Koch in his first week on the job. Since McCollum assumed his new role, five of his former Drake players have transferred to Iowa.
9.“We'll Always Play Defense”
While his team’s offensive pace can vary based on the team’s personnel, McCollum’s teams have ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring defense in each of the last 10 seasons.
10.Team Effort
McCollum says he wants all Hawkeyes to participate in building a championship program: “Our goal is to get Carver-Hawkeye Arena filled back up, to create an environment where other fans want to come, and to be the best venue in the state of Iowa.”