Must-read SI article if you care about Iowa's next coach

[Beattheohiostate]

I've been following Drake (26-3, MVC champs) and head coach Ben McCollom a little this season, but I didn't really know much about either until I read this article. McCollom came from D-II NW Missouri State, and four of his starters this year at Drake came with him. Think about that for a second. This article is awesome, and if Iowa doesn't hire McCollom in a few weeks, well, I think that would be a HUGE mistake. Here, read it for yourself:

https://www.si.com/college-basketball/drake-bulldogs-making-power-conferences-take-notice

 

[BurgHawk87]

He hasn't finished outside of first place in the conference since 2013. That's wild, I don't care what the level of competition is.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

I've been following Drake (26-3, MVC champs) and head coach Ben McCollom a little this season, but I didn't really know much about either until I read this article. McCollom came from D-II NW Missouri State, and four of his starters this year at Drake came with him. Think about that for a second. This article is awesome, and if Iowa doesn't hire McCollom in a few weeks, well, I think that would be a HUGE mistake. Here, read it for yourself:

https://www.si.com/college-basketball/drake-bulldogs-making-power-conferences-take-notice

Yes, Iowa would be foolish not to reach out.

I also like that he’s 43.

Iowa needs a younger perspective in both football and basketball IMO.

 

[TampaHawkfan]

I've seen a few turn up their nose at the idea, but I'm banging the drum for McCollum if the next coach comes from the up and comer ranks. Is there a better candidate out there in the pool of younger coaches?

 

[Bank of Hawk]

@torbee hates the idea of a McCollum led program on the on3 board.

 

[torbee]

@torbee hates the idea of a McCollum led program on the on3.

Not true at all. I really like his resume.

All I’ve said is anyone thinking a change in coaches is going to magically make Iowa a much better program could end up being disappointed as coaching changes often lead to similar or even worse results than the previous regime.

 

[BurgHawk87]

Not true at all. I really like his resume.

All I’ve said is anyone thinking a change in coaches is going to magically make Iowa a much better program could end up being disappointed as coaching changes often lead to similar or even worse results than the previous regime.

There is no magic cure, but doing the exact same thing with incrementally worse results surely isn't the way forward. I'd rather be disappointed with "fresh blood" than disappointed with the same old shit.

 

[hogghawk]

Not true at all. I really like his resume.

All I’ve said is anyone thinking a change in coaches is going to magically make Iowa a much better program could end up being disappointed as coaching changes often lead to similar or even worse results than the previous regime.

Fran had 15 years to put us in the sweet 16. He hasn’t done it. That’s pretty damn loyal as far as I’m concerned. It’s time for change

 

[RocknRollface]

Not true at all. I really like his resume.

All I’ve said is anyone thinking a change in coaches is going to magically make Iowa a much better program could end up being disappointed as coaching changes often lead to similar or even worse results than the previous regime.

Yep, everyone understands this but keeping Fran is not a viable option so that means the only other option is trying something else.

 

[HawkeyeHitman]

Not true at all. I really like his resume.

All I’ve said is anyone thinking a change in coaches is going to magically make Iowa a much better program could end up being disappointed as coaching changes often lead to similar or even worse results than the previous regime.

This butt pirate doesn’t want the McCaffery’s and their progressive views to leave Iowa. The wannabe John Oliver wants to a progressive podcast with Conner and Patrick.

 

[HawkLogic]

Not true at all. I really like his resume.

All I’ve said is anyone thinking a change in coaches is going to magically make Iowa a much better program could end up being disappointed as coaching changes often lead to similar or even worse results than the previous regime.

That is obvious.

However if the next guy went 15 years with 0 sweet16s it would take a worst case hire to do that bad.

 

[nosok23]

Yes, Iowa would be foolish not to reach out.

I also like that he’s 43.

Iowa needs a younger perspective in both football and basketball IMO.

Been saying this for a while!

 

[HawkBall23]

I'm really starting to swing my perspective around from Devries to McCollom.

Not only is he likely a bit younger, but also the guy has proven he can take groups made of lesser talent and mold them into winners.

Because let's be brutally honest. Even with revenue sharing coming, Iowa is never gonna have roster(s) of only 4 & 5 star recruits or transfers. Sure, they'll luck into a few random ones here and there, but not consistently full rosters of ultra-talented athletes.


Tldr point is, McCollom seems to have some sustained experience at turning rusty copper into gold.

 

[Fran-Con-2]

Not true at all. I really like his resume.

All I’ve said is anyone thinking a change in coaches is going to magically make Iowa a much better program could end up being disappointed as coaching changes often lead to similar or even worse results than the previous regime.

I understand that, but change is imminent regardless.

That being said, I have two questions for you and board: (1) is DeVries clearly a better candidate than McCollum or is it closer to a tossup; and (2) does DeVries' buyout at all impact the administrations decision?

 

[joelbc1]

Been saying this for a while!

Kirk was about that age when he started at Iowa…. And every year he got a year older!
People age every year….so you want the next UIowa men’s basketball coach NOT to age? Is that what you’re looking for? Or do you want UIowa to mandate a retirement age for its coaches?

 

[BurgHawk87]

Kirk was about that age when he started at Iowa…. And every year he got a year older!
People age every year….so you want the next UIowa men’s basketball coach NOT to age? Is that what you’re looking for? Or do you want UIowa to mandate a retirement age for its coaches?

Clearly what the poster meant. Excellent inference.

 

[General Tso]

 

[icwesthawk]

This butt pirate doesn’t want the McCaffery’s and their progressive views to leave Iowa. The wannabe John Oliver wants to a progressive podcast with Conner and Patrick.

 

[SCHawkFan]

I think McCollum is the easy choice. Born in Iowa City to a woman who has three degrees from the U of IA, including her law degree. McCollum’s mother spent a few years as an assistant DA in Johnson County, so likely had a few run ins with U of IA athletes .

McCollum has a ridiculous .817 winning percentage as a coach over 16 seasons. His teams have won four national championships. And he’s young.

For me, this is a no brainer.

 

[nosok23]

Kirk was about that age when he started at Iowa…. And every year he got a year older!
People age every year….so you want the next UIowa men’s basketball coach NOT to age? Is that what you’re looking for? Or do you want UIowa to mandate a retirement age for its coaches?

I believe no matter the age if your not producing you need to move on! KF is 69 and the program is quite stagnant so getting a younger coach just like KF was when he first started could reenergize that program. Same could be said for 65 year old FM. I think younger coaches have a better feel of the new age that were in with the NIL, culture, portal, etc. These old dogs just don't buy into what needs to be done to get over the hump and start winning again. Iowa St. has 2 young coaches that seem to be doing alright. That pains me to say!

 

[HawkBall23]

This one feels really important. Even more so than dropping the ball on not moving on from FM and snagging up Devries in the offseason last Spring.

Like if BethG doesn't get BM, he's gonna go somewhere else - somewhere like Indiana - and just turn himself into an even more immediate national name that he already is.

Unless Beth has got her heart set on Devries, or someone better - than both him and McCollum - this has to be the pick, imo.


Gonna be a long few weeks of speculation and waiting.

 

[perryhawk]

I recently watched a video on YouTube with McCollum…. I believe he said something about the pace of play being dependent on the players he has.

As mentioned above…..he has a ridiculously high winning percentage….the guy knows how to coach basketball. Kinda like Bo Ryan?

My wild ass guess is that he’s affordable along with getting enough money to significantly help NIL.

He could fail at this level……so could Devries or anyone else…..but I think he might take a year or two to figure it out and then produce the kind of results we’d all be happy with. I think this is a VERY SMART young coach.

 

[joelbc1]

I believe no matter the age if your not producing you need to move on! KF is 69 and the program is quite stagnant so getting a younger coach just like KF was when he first started could reenergize that program. Same could be said for 65 year old FM. I think younger coaches have a better feel of the new age that were in with the NIL, culture, portal, etc. These old dogs just don't buy into what needs to be done to get over the hump and start winning again. Iowa St. has 2 young coaches that seem to be doing alright. That pains me to say!

How has Kirk “failed” tge UIowa football program? How had Fran “failed” as the basketball coach?
Because they didn’t meet your expectations? The is not “failure”… sorry.
The “NIL” and “portal” a re what…3-4 years old? Seems to me some “old dog” coaches like Day, Sabin and Snart have done well over the past several years. Maybe YOU need to up your ante and start giving a lot more $$ to your favorite college sports programs so they can be competitive…