Iowa Finalizes Deal to Hire Ben McCollum as Basketball Coach

The Iowa Hawkeyes are set to finalize a deal with Ben McCollum as their new head coach after parting ways with Fran McCaffery. McCollum, who recently led the Drake Bulldogs to a 31-4 record and an upset victory over No. 6 Missouri in the NCAA Tournament, is returning to his roots in Iowa City. He previously enjoyed significant success at Northwest Missouri State, where he won four NCAA Division II National Championships and amassed a remarkable 395-91 record. While McCollum was a candidate for the West Virginia head coach position, he opted for Iowa, leaving the Mountaineers to consider other candidates such as Jerrod Calhoun. The coaching search has been a roller coaster for Iowa fans, but McCollum's appointment is viewed as a promising step forward for the program. His deep ties to Iowa and impressive coaching credentials make him a highly regarded choice for the position.