Ben McCollum is making waves in his debut season as head coach of the Hawkeyes, achieving feats reminiscent of the legendary Tom Davis era. With 22 wins and counting, McCollum has quickly climbed to second place for most victories by a first-year head coach in Iowa's history. Notably, he's already secured a win in the NCAA Tournament-a milestone the program hadn't reached since the 2020-2021 season.
This impressive start puts McCollum just four Tournament wins away from surpassing his predecessor, Fran McCaffery. It’s clear that Iowa’s decision to bring McCollum to Iowa City is paying off.
While many of McCaffery's former players speak highly of his influence, McCollum's trajectory already appears more promising. McCaffery's first season saw only 11 wins, and it took him four years to reach the NCAA Tournament. Over 15 seasons, he managed just four NCAA Tournament wins, never advancing past the Round of 32.
In contrast, McCollum has not only matched McCaffery’s early achievements but has done so with a vigor that extends beyond mere statistics. From the outset, McCollum has been actively engaging with the Iowa City community, emphasizing that the program's success hinges on the support of both the city and its fans.
Where McCaffery's later years saw a disconnect with supporters, McCollum has revitalized the relationship, bringing a fresh work ethic and a focus on strength and conditioning-areas that were previously neglected. His holistic approach is setting the stage for a new era of Hawkeye basketball, and fans have every reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.