Iowa Hawkeyes Men's Basketball will start the search for a new head coach for the first time in 15 years. Iowa Head Coach Fran McCaffery was let go after a tumultuous season for the Hawkeyes ended in Round Two of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament.
Pundits and fans have been weighing in on who should replace McCaffery, and here are the top four candidates the Hawkeyes should consider.
Darian DeVries, West Virginia
Darian DeVries is the top pick to replace Fran McCaffery. The former Drake Bulldogs Head Coach moved to a power-five team this past offseason as he took the head coaching job at West Virginia. He guided the Mountaineers to a 19-13 regular season record in his first season in charge.
DeVries was extremely successful at Drake, compiling a 150-55 record in his six seasons with the program. That included 2 MVC Tournament Titles, one regular-season MVC Title, and three NCAA Tournament berths.
He went 28-7, with an NCAA Tournament berth during the 2023-2024 season, his last season in Des Moines.
DeVries should be the first call Iowa makes in their coaching search.
Ben McCollum, Drake
If Darian DeVries is Iowa's first call, then Ben McCollum is a close second. The Storm Lake, Iowa native was extremely successful at Northwest Missouri State, leading them to four Division II National Championships before jumping to mid-major Drake.
McCollum compiled a 394-91 overall record in his 14 seasons at the helm of the Bearcats.
McCollum has guided Drake to a 30-3, with an MVC regular and conference tournament title in his first season with the Bulldogs. Drake is now looking to make some noise in the NCAA Tournament.
McCollum should be high on the Hawkeyes' list of potential Fran replacements.
Chris Jans, Mississippi State
Another Iowa native is third on the list. Fairbank, Iowa native Chris Jans has been the head coach of Mississippi State since 2022 after he moved from New Mexico State.
At New Mexico State, Jans compiled a 122-32 overall record in five seasons, including three NCAA Tournament appearances and four WAC Titles.
In three seasons for Mississippi State, Jans has compiled a 63-39 overall record, with NCAA Tournament appearances in his first two seasons. The Bulldogs are awaiting their 2025 NCAA Tournament fate after falling to Missouri in the second round of the SEC Conference Tournament.
The fiery head coach would make a great addition to the Hawkeyes staff.
Eric Henderson, South Dakota State
Eric Henderson rounds out the list of early potential head coaching targets for the Iowa Hawkeyes. If he is willing to make the six-hour drive east to Iowa City, the Hawkeyes should call.
Henderson has been successful in his first head coaching job with South Dakota State. In his six seasons at the helm, he has won 20-plus games four times en route to a 129-60 overall record.
He has won four regular season titles and two conference tournament titles. He also has two NCAA Tournament berths.
Henderson may not be a "flashy" hire, but he would be a solid addition to the Hawkeyes after his success with the Jackrabbits at the Division I level.