Ben McCollum leaving Drake for Iowa basketball program

'Dream come true': Ben McCollum leaves Drake for Iowa basketball job

The Hawkeye women's season is now over, but the future of the men's team is just beginning. Ben McCollum will be taking over - after head coach Fran McCaffrey was fired earlier this month. McCollum led Drake's program for one season. Now, he is off to Iowa City. ��vlog Sports Director Scott Reister joins us. Scott, this came together fast. Drake A D Brian Hardin told me that Iowa AD Beth Goetz waited to contact McCollum until Sunday, the day after Drake lost in the NCAA Tournament. McCollum told Hardin last night he was leaning towards taking the Iowa job, and this morning before 8 am McCollum called Hardin to let the Drake AD know he was indeed leaving for Iowa. McCollum calls it a dream come true. He was born in Iowa City and grew up in Storm Lake. We don;t know the terms of his new deal, but his salary will most likely more than double. McCollum had other opportunities, but this is th job he wanted. All he does is win - in 15 yeas at NW Mo State he won 4 national titles. In his one year at Division One, he coached rake to a school record 31 wins using a roster of guys from the Division Two level. It's hard for Drake to lose another coach, but it won't stop them from aiming high < future of the Bulldogs> McCollum will be introduced at

'Dream come true': Ben McCollum leaves Drake for Iowa basketball job

Drake's Ben McCollum is heading east.After rumors swirled following Drake's season-ending loss to Texas Tech in the NCAA Tournament's second round, McCollum will take the Iowa head coaching job. “We are excited to welcome Coach McCollum and his family back to Iowa City. 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,” said Iowa Athletic Director Beth Goetz in a news release announcing the hire. “I am confident that Hawkeye fans will enthusiastically support the McCollum family as we embark on the next chapter of Iowa men’s basketball."The Iowa head coaching job opened earlier this month after the Hawkeyes fired longtime coach Fran McCaffery, who spent the previous 15 years in Iowa City.McCollum coached one season at Drake. He was hired last year after coach Darian DeVries was hired at West Virginia. This year, McCollum led the Bulldogs to their most successful season with a final record of 31-4. For the first time since 1971, Drake advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, though they lost on Saturday to Texas Tech.After Saturday's loss, ��vlog's Shannon Ehrhardt asked McCollum if Drake fans will see him again next season. With Iowa, McCollum will face former Drake coach DeVries in Big Ten play. After one year at West Virginia, DeVries was hired to coach at Indiana.Before coming to Des Moines, McCollum spent 15 seasons at the helm of Northwest Missouri State, an NCAA Division II powerhouse. He led the Bearcats to four national championships in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022. McCollum's move to take over for the Hawkeyes will be a homecoming of sorts. McCollum was born in Iowa City before being raised in Storm Lake.Iowa will hold an introductory news conference at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to formally announce the hire.Drake Athletic Director Brian Hardin met with reporters Monday. Hardin told ��vlog's Scott Reister the program offered McCollum a substantial pay raise that would've been more money than Drake has ever paid a coach, along with increased NIL money for players.“There’s a ton of momentum around this program," Hardin said. "Brighter days are still ahead for us.”Hardin said he spoke with McCollum's agent following Drake's loss in the second round Saturday and "knew kind of what was on the horizon." The deal was not finalized until Monday, Hardin said.Still, Hardin is optimistic about the program's future."I'd rather be replacing coaches because of all the success than replacing coaches because we aren't successful," he said.Drake A.D. Brian Hardin: 'Awfully disappointed' to lose coach Ben McCollumMore on Ben McCollum'We took our swing and ... it didn’t work out': Drake A.D. Brian Hardin explains the process of trying to keep coach Ben McCollumFULL NEWS CONFERENCE: Drake A.D. Brian Hardin meets with media after coach Ben McCollum leaves for Iowa

IOWA CITY, Iowa —

Drake's Ben McCollum is heading east.

After rumors swirled following Drake's season-ending loss to Texas Tech in the NCAA Tournament's second round, McCollum will take the Iowa head coaching job.

I’ve confirmed this news for

. with the initial report on Sunday.
— Jeff Dubrof ��vlog (@JeffDubrof��vlog)

“We are excited to welcome Coach McCollum and his family back to Iowa City. 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,” said Iowa Athletic Director Beth Goetz in a news release announcing the hire. “I am confident that Hawkeye fans will enthusiastically support the McCollum family as we embark on the next chapter of Iowa men’s basketball."

The Iowa head coaching job opened earlier this month after the Hawkeyes fired longtime coach Fran McCaffery, who spent the previous 15 years in Iowa City.

McCollum coached one season at Drake. He was hired last year after coach Darian DeVries was hired at West Virginia.

This year, McCollum led the Bulldogs to their most successful season with a final record of 31-4. For the first time since 1971, Drake advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament, though they lost on Saturday to Texas Tech.

After Saturday's loss, ��vlog's Shannon Ehrhardt asked McCollum if Drake fans will see him again next season.

I asked Head Coach Ben McCollum if he'll be at Drake next season.
— Shannon Ehrhardt (@SEhrhardt��vlog)

With Iowa, McCollum will face former Drake coach DeVries in Big Ten play. After one year at West Virginia, DeVries was hired to coach at Indiana.

Before coming to Des Moines, McCollum spent 15 seasons at the helm of Northwest Missouri State, an NCAA Division II powerhouse. He led the Bearcats to four national championships in 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022.

McCollum's move to take over for the Hawkeyes will be a homecoming of sorts. McCollum was born in Iowa City before being raised in Storm Lake.

Iowa will hold an introductory news conference at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to formally announce the hire.

Drake Athletic Director Brian Hardin met with reporters Monday. Hardin told ��vlog's Scott Reister the program offered McCollum a substantial pay raise that would've been more money than Drake has ever paid a coach, along with increased NIL money for players.

“There’s a ton of momentum around this program," Hardin said. "Brighter days are still ahead for us.”

Hardin said he spoke with McCollum's agent following Drake's loss in the second round Saturday and "knew kind of what was on the horizon." The deal was not finalized until Monday, Hardin said.

Still, Hardin is optimistic about the program's future.

"I'd rather be replacing coaches because of all the success than replacing coaches because we aren't successful," he said.

Drake A.D. Brian Hardin: 'Awfully disappointed' to lose coach Ben McCollum

I just spoke with Drake AD Brian Hardin, who told me the timeline and how it happened. Hardin and coach Ben McCollum met Sunday afternoon and Hardin offered him a substantial raise, higher than Drake has ever paid a coach. There was also a substantial increase to (thread)
— Scott Reister (@scottreister)