Ben McCollum's journey was always meant to go through to Iowa City

First-year Iowa Head Coach Ben McCollum has made it impossible for anyone to hate him, except maybe rival players who have to deal with his team's intense defensive pressure.

McCollum was born in Iowa City and grew up there before later moving to Storm Lake, Iowa.

His coaching journey began at Northwest Missouri State, where he became one of the best Division II coaches of all time.

McCollum finished his time at Northwest Missouri State with a 395-91 overall record, four Division II National Championships, eight MIAA tournament titles, 12 MIAA regular season titles, eight MIAA Coach of the Year awards, and five NABC Division II Coach of the Year awards.

After a brief one-year stop at Drake in 2024, McCollum is now the head man in Iowa City, where he was always meant to be.

Ben McCollum was always meant to land in Iowa City

McCollum spoke with the Big Ten Network about what it means to be the head coach of Iowa Men's Basketball, and according to his mom, he has always been an Iowa fan.

McCollum's mom Mary Timko said he has "always been an Iowa fan," and Northwest Missouri State had a chance to play an exhibition game in Iowa City, she had to go.

She caught him looking around at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena crowd and exclaimed, "Boy, I hope he gets to do this someday."

McCollum embodies what it means to be a Hawkeye with how hard he has worked to get to where he is, and not only has he impressed and endeared himself to Hawkey fans, but members of his coaching staff as well.

Iowa Basketball Chief of Staff Jesse Shaw called him the "John Wooden of Division II basketball."

Iowa Director of Player Development Xavier Kurth said it's been "really, really cool" to watch McCollum do everything he's done because he knows how much work he has put in.

McCollum was a perfect hire for the program, and it will not be a surprise when he returns Iowa to its former glory.