After being hired as the new head coach for Iowa Men's Basketball, Ben McCollum has taken on the tough task of rebuilding the program. After dismissing long-time head coach Fran McCaffery, Iowa's coaching staff and roster were depleted.
McCollum has worked tirelessly to fill the roster, adding five transfers from Drake and filling his coaching staff. Over the past few weeks, McCollum added three former Drake assistant coaches to bolster his staff.
On Wednesday, McCollum announced he was adding the highly-coveted coach Luke Barnwell to his coaching staff. Barnwell was rising in the coaching ranks during his time with the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Hawkeyes are pleased to add him to the staff.
The media and Iowa fans are impressed with the hire and expressed their feelings on social media.
Elite Recruiter. Massive talent developer. Absolute home-run hire by Ben McCollum to snag him from Texas Tech. https://t.co/SVIaKxJMdI
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) April 9, 2025
Hawkeye insider for 247 Sports and CBS Sports, David Eickholt, called Barnwell a "home run hire." After rumors spread about Iowa's connection to Barnwell, he was listed in the athletics directory as an assistant coach. After McCollum announced the hiring, the rumors were confirmed.
Eickholt noted Barnwell is a huge addition by Ben McCollum and the Iowa program.
Reaching unbelievable levels of back https://t.co/xGJADFvbyV
— Barstool Iowa (@BarstoolUIowa) April 9, 2025
Barstool Iowa got in on the Barnwell praise. They noted Barnwell is a huge hire and could lead to a resurgent Iowa Men's Basketball program. Iowa is SO back!
It's official. Really, really nice add to the Iowa staff.
— Eliot Clough (@EliotClough) April 9, 2025
After two years at Texas Tech, Luke Barnwell is a Hawkeye. https://t.co/d18TmLk6XQ
Eliot Clough, the lead men's basketball and football analyst for Hawkeye Beacon, called Barnwell a really, really nice addition to the Iowa staff. It was so nice, he had to use really twice.
Ben McCollum getting Luke Barnwell to leave Texas Tech to come to Iowa is a SIGNIFICANT addition to his coaching staff. Big time move
— I Love Iowa Basketball (@ILoveIowaBball) April 9, 2025
Fans also noticed how important the Barnwell hiring is for Iowa Men's Basketball. Getting Barnwell to come to Iowa City is a huge addition to Iowa and a "Big time move" by the program.
The Luke Barnwell hire is a slam dunk, grand slam, whatever sports metaphor you want to use. Potential game-changer on the recruiting trail for Iowa.
— Tony Roe (@tonysroe) April 9, 2025
Use whatever verb you want, but Iowa fans love, adore, or very much enjoy the Barnwell hiring.
After adding Barnwell to the coaching staff, the Hawkeyes are poised to make significant improvements during the 2025-2026 season.