McCollum Named Head Coach at Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa. – Ben McCollum, who led the Drake men’s basketball program to unprecedented success winning a record 31 games this season, has been named the head coach at the University of Iowa.
 
In his lone season at the helm of the Drake men’s basketball team, McCollum guided the Bulldogs to a sweep of the Missouri Valley Conference regular season and tournament titles. It marked the first outright regular season championship achieved by Drake since the 2007-08 season and the third consecutive MVC Tournament championship for the Bulldogs.
 
Under his leadership, the Bulldogs earned a birth to the NCAA Tournament and achieved their first NCAA Tournament win since the 2021 First Four. Drake’s win over the No. 6 seeded Missouri Tigers marked the first time the Bulldogs won a game in the round of 64, which propelled the Bulldogs into the round of 32 for the first time since 1971. Overall, McCollum and the Bulldogs finished the 2024-25 season a with a record of 31-4 and went 17-4 in MVC play, which also marked the most conference wins in program history.
 
“We are grateful to the student-athletes, coaches, staff, and fanbase that helped make this historic year possible,” Drake director of athletics Brian Hardin said. “Certainly, we hoped for more than 12 months together with Coach McCollum, but Drake fans will always remember the feelings that were generated from this magical season. I wish Ben, Michelle, Peyton, Tate, and Grace well in Iowa City.”
 
McCollum, who was hired in April of 2024, was named MVC Coach of the Year this season, while leading his players to multiple MVC and national accolades.
 
In addition to winning on the court, McCollum and his Bulldogs were active in the greater Des Moines community.
 
Drake will begin an immediate national search for the next Drake men’s basketball head coach.