The college basketball world is once again buzzing, and at the center of it all is the sudden vacancy at one of the sport’s most prestigious programs. Following the dismissal of Hubert Davis, the North Carolina Tar Heels men’s basketball job has quickly become the most talked-about opening in the game. As expected, speculation has spread rapidly, with several high-profile names being floated as potential successors.
Among those mentioned are Tommy Lloyd of Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball and Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls. The ripple effect of this search is already being felt across the coaching landscape, with programs moving quickly to secure their leaders. One such example is Mark Byington, who recently received a contract extension from Vanderbilt Commodores men’s basketball amid the growing uncertainty.
However, one of the most intriguing names emerging in these conversations is Ben McCollum, the current head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball. While McCollum has not been formally linked as a candidate, his recent success has made him impossible to ignore.
In just a short time, McCollum has transformed Iowa into a national contender. Leading the Hawkeyes to an Elite Eight appearance—the program’s deepest run since 1987—he has reignited excitement in Iowa City. It also marked their first trip beyond the Round of 32 since 1999, a milestone that underscores the magnitude of his achievement.
This rapid ascent has not gone unnoticed by Iowa’s leadership. Athletic director Beth Goetz made it clear that retaining McCollum is a top priority. In a public statement, she emphasized her confidence in his leadership and the program’s direction, signaling Iowa’s intent to keep their rising star firmly in place.
McCollum’s journey to this moment is nothing short of remarkable. Before arriving at Iowa, he spent a single but highly successful season with the Drake Bulldogs men’s basketball. During the 2024–25 season, he guided the Bulldogs to a stunning 32–4 record, sweeping both the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and tournament titles. His team also captured national attention by defeating a ranked Missouri squad in the NCAA Tournament—marking Drake’s first tournament win since 1971.
Yet, even that success was merely a continuation of what McCollum had already built at the Division II level. At Northwest Missouri State Bearcats men’s basketball, he constructed one of the most dominant programs in college basketball history. Over a 15-year span from 2009 to 2024, McCollum compiled an astonishing 395–91 record. His teams captured four national championships and an incredible 20 conference titles, including 12 regular-season and eight tournament crowns.
One of the most impressive highlights of his tenure came during the 2018–19 season, when his team finished a perfect 38–0. That level of sustained excellence is rare at any level of the sport, and it firmly established McCollum as a coaching force long before he made the jump to Division I.
Across all levels, his postseason résumé is equally impressive. Combining his achievements at Northwest Missouri State, Drake, and Iowa, McCollum boasts a 36–9 record in NCAA Tournament play. That translates to an .818 winning percentage—an elite mark that places him among the most effective postseason coaches in the game. Even more telling is his consistency: he has won at least one NCAA Tournament game in 13 of the past 14 seasons.
While coaching speculation continues to dominate headlines, another storyline capturing attention involves rising NBA talent Kon Knueppel. The former Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball standout has been making waves both on and off the court.
