Drake Coach to Iowa

[OMJ]

An Iowa fan told me that the Drake Coach is going to be the next Iowa Coach. Also some of the players have put into the Portal to go with him.

[Da Coach]

An Iowa fan told me that the Drake Coach is going to be the next Iowa Coach. Also some of the players have put into the Portal to go with him.

So far, that is the rumor coming out of Des Moines and Iowa City. But nothing official has been released.
Here is this morning's Sports Illustrated, calling McCollum "a Hot Commodity on the Coaching Market", and suggesting if it's not Iowa, then it could be West Virginia or Villanova, who are both looking for a head coach and various rumors have said they are looking at McCollum. - https://www.si.com/college/westvirgi...oaching-market

But just minutes ago, this article, citing "multiple sources" was posted claiming he has accepted the head coaching job at Iowa -
Ben McCollum to be named head coach at Iowa - https://voiceofmotown.com/ben-mccoll...coach-at-iowa/

Iowa insider David Eickholt claims it's a done deal - https://x.com/DavidEickholt/status/1903823353309212769
West Virginia insider also reporting McCollum to Iowa - https://x.com/voicemorgantown/status...28293876322655

[Canton BU fan]

All those years at D2 then Drake gives him a D1 opportunity. Then he rewards them by leaving after one season. I guess the coaches can't complain too much about players jumping school to school either.

[LongTimeFan]

You have to admit the AD has done a great job of picking basketball coaches lately.

[Da Coach]

Fran McCaffery's base salary has been reported as $2.1 million for 2024-25, but including public appearances, camps, fundraising, radio and TV shows, and apparel and endorsement deals his total compensation, was $3.4 million - https://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...t/82416351007/

My guess is they will have to pay McCollum somewhere above $3 million, so it is hard to blame him for moving with that massive a difference.

[BengalFan14]

Fran McCaffery's base salary has been reported as $2.1 million for 2024-25, but including public appearances, camps, fundraising, radio and TV shows, and apparel and endorsement deals his total compensation, was $3.4 million - https://www.desmoinesregister.com/st...t/82416351007/

My guess is they will have to pay McCollum somewhere above $3 million, so it is hard to blame him for moving with that massive a difference.

Yeah, who would turn down a 400-500 percent raise?

[BRAVE82]

It's official... https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sp...e/82551881007/

[Da Coach]

University of Iowa web page - https://hawkeyesports.com/sports/mbball

[Da Coach]

It looks like he will be wearing the gold tie now, instead of the blue tie he has become known for.
They did a nice job photoshopping those pictures to change to tie color.

[LittleBrave]

Nice! Good for him, and glad that MAYBE Drake can go back to middle pack in the conference...perhaps it waters down the league, but hoping other teams can step up to challenge the Braves (who are NOT Drake) going fw.

[64NIT]

All those years at D2 then Drake gives him a D1 opportunity. Then he rewards them by leaving after one season. I guess the coaches can't complain too much about players jumping school to school either.

At least Josh Schertz waited three years before jumping to SLU from InSU. He had a *meh* season there, although he did go to the NIT only to get blown out by 25 points, with Robbie Avila and Isaiah Swope, both of whom tore up the MVC last year. When I saw them play Santa Clara in Sioux Falls in the first game of the season, I wasn't impressed, although Swope looked quite good.

Speaking of Santa Clara, I would have liked a rematch with BU in the NIT. They didn't impress me, either, in that game and I was surprised that BU lost. Alas, a rematch won't happen.

[️ Fanatic]

With 3-former MVC (Drake) coaches moving to the BIG10... What are the chance Bradley (or any MVC team) will be able to get pre-conference games next year? I am sure there are many factors, yet I would think a relationship with these coaches, could open the doors to get a Bradley-Minnesota/Indiana/Iowa game? Will be interesting to see who is able to leverage that relationship, I would be surprised to see a Drake vs. Iowa game.

[LittleBrave]

I would be surprised to see a Drake vs. Iowa game.

Yeah didn't they used to play each other almost every season in non-conf.?

[Tommy]

With 3-former MVC (Drake) coaches moving to the BIG10... What are the chance Bradley (or any MVC team) will be able to get pre-conference games next year? I am sure there are many factors, yet I would think a relationship with these coaches, could open the doors to get a Bradley-Minnesota/Indiana/Iowa game? Will be interesting to see who is able to leverage that relationship, I would be surprised to see a Drake vs. Iowa game.

Would be fantastic, but I’d be shocked if they were willing to play any decent Valley team and risk taking a loss. Let’s hope they do, even if only a road game for us, it would be fun to see.

[Da Coach]

I doubt that is likely to happen next season, but in future seasons, when those new coaches have a bit more influence and advance time, they might be more inclined to schedule an MVC team. And it will indeed be a road game for the MVC team.