No college basketball coach has elevated their stock as much as Ben McCollum has over the past three years.
McCollum owned a 395-91 record and won four NCAA Division II titles while coaching Northwest Missouri State from 2009-2024. He was then hired by Drake University and immediately took the men's basketball program to the Round of 32 in his first year. His success in March led to him taking his talents to the University of Iowa.
Although the Hawkeyes had a respectable regular season under McCollum, what he's done over the past nine days is truly remarkable. He's led Iowa to wins over No. 8 seed Clemson, No. 1 seed Iowa and No. 4 seed Nebraska.
Iowa has a chance to punch its ticket to the Final Four this Saturday. All that's left for McCollum to do is beat Illinois.
As for McCollum's future as a head coach, he said he intends on staying at Iowa for the 2026-27 season. He claims any rumors about him potentially leaving are false.
"Yeah, those are all lies," McCollum said, via ESPN. "The only person that would ever know would be — well, three people — would be my athletic director, my wife, and that's about it. I guess two people."
McCollum receives praise from a legend.
Former Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski was on "The Pat McAfee Show" this Friday to share his thoughts on the Sweet 16. When asked about Iowa's win over Nebraska, he had nothing but praise for McCollum.
"I've been following his career. Every once in a while, I'll touch base with him," Krzyzewski said. "I have not done that this year, this spring. But, I really admire (him). All the stuff he's talking about, every coach in the country should hear that, at all levels. Where you hold people accountable."
You know you're doing something right when Coach K compliments your work.
If McCollum leads the Hawkeyes to their first Final Four appearance since 1980, he may never have to buy another drink in Iowa City.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Mar 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Basketball section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.