Iowa Hawkeyes near hiring Ben McCollum as head coach

In the Big Ten, coaches Ryan Day, Dan Lanning, and James Franklin have made significant strides with their programs. Ryan Day led Ohio State to a national championship after three College Football Playoff appearances, while Dan Lanning's Oregon Ducks secured a Big Ten championship and an undefeated regular season before falling to Ohio State in the playoffs. James Franklin's Penn State achieved an 11-1 season, making it to the playoffs after consistently missing out in previous years. Meanwhile, Nebraska's basketball program is facing challenges, with assistant coach Adam Howard leaving to join NC State, adding pressure as the team struggles to recover from a disappointing season. The departures and changes in coaching staff may impact Nebraska's ability to compete effectively in the upcoming seasons. Additionally, Iowa's hiring of Ben McCollum could shift the competitive landscape within the conference.