Ben McCollum
- Thread starter BA47591
- Start date
I hear ya.
I will throw out another name that may not be well received but I am 100% convinced would be successful here: Buzz Williams
I hear he is waiting for Fran to retire so he can coach his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes.
Scott Dolson is doing a masterful job of gaining a voice in the Pete Yonkman camp. Is it strong enough to pick the next head basketball coach??? I'm not sure. The sentiment is that big money will want a big name. But the success of the Cignetti hire is shifting the furniture around a bit in the room. The bad thing is, our basketball team has to be on par with the previous 3 seasons in order for this failed experiment to end.
The more I dig into McCollom and watch his stuff on YouTube, the more I'm convinced.
I know he's not related Ray.
The more I dig into McCollom and watch his stuff on YouTube, the more I'm convinced.
I know he's not related Ray.
I copied this from someone.
Why Indiana Basketball Should Give Strong Consideration to Ben McCollum When the Time Comes
Indiana University basketball has long stood as one of the most storied programs in college basketball history. But decades of missteps, questionable hires, and missed opportunities have left the program chasing its past rather than setting the standard for the future. One such missed opportunity haunts IU fans to this day: failing to land Brad Stevens. There was a window—brief though it may have been—when Stevens, an Indiana native and basketball visionary, could have been persuaded to return home. That window closed, and Stevens went on to cement his legacy at Butler and in the NBA.
Now, another golden opportunity is presenting itself, and Indiana cannot afford to miss it. Ben McCollum, the first-year head coach at Drake University, is proving that he is a transformative figure in college basketball. If Indiana wants to reclaim its seat among the blue bloods, McCollum should be at the top of the list when the time comes to make a change.
McCollum’s Proven Track Record of Winning
Ben McCollum is not a newcomer to success. Before arriving at Drake, he built Northwest Missouri State into a Division II powerhouse, winning four national championships. His teams were models of tactical brilliance, discipline, and unrelenting execution. Critics often question whether a coach can replicate that success at higher levels, but McCollum has already begun answering that question emphatically.
In just his first season at Drake, McCollum has the Bulldogs off to a 6-0 start, including a dominant win over Miami and legendary coach Jim Larrañaga. That victory wasn’t just a fluke—it was a masterclass in preparation and tactical superiority. What makes it even more remarkable is that McCollum is achieving these results with a significant talent gap. Four of his five starters are Division II transfers, competing against Miami’s ACC-level roster. Yet, McCollum outthought and outmaneuvered one of the most respected coaches in college basketball, turning what should have been a mismatch into a statement win.
Why McCollum Fits IU Basketball Perfectly
1. Tactical Genius in a Basketball Fishbowl
Indiana’s fanbase is among the most knowledgeable and passionate in the sport. This isn’t a job where weaknesses can be hidden; poor in-game decisions or flawed systems will be dissected and magnified by fans and media alike. McCollum thrives under scrutiny. His ability to break down opponents, adapt on the fly, and elevate his players’ performance is exactly what IU needs.
2. Proven Ability to Maximize Resources
At Northwest Missouri State, McCollum didn’t have the resources of Power 5 programs, yet he dominated. At Drake, he’s already proven capable of leveraging modest resources to achieve outsized results. Imagine what he could do with Indiana’s NIL opportunities, facilities, and recruiting pipelines. The upside is astronomical.
3. Championship Pedigree
McCollum is not just a winner—he’s a championship-caliber leader. His track record shows that he knows how to build a program from the ground up and sustain success. That’s the type of coach who can restore Indiana basketball’s luster and bring banners back to Bloomington.
4. Ability to Develop Talent
McCollum’s success with Division II transfers underscores his ability to maximize player potential. While other coaches rely on elite talent to win, McCollum wins by elevating his players through meticulous preparation, skill development, and team cohesion. This is exactly the kind of approach that wins championships in today’s college basketball landscape.
Why the Time Is Now
McCollum is not going to remain under the radar for long. He’s already proving his ability to succeed in Division I, and it’s only a matter of time before a top-10 program hires him. Once he’s in one of those jobs, the window for IU to land him will likely close forever, just as it did with Brad Stevens.
The risk of waiting is too great. Programs like Kansas, Kentucky, and Duke didn’t ascend to the top by playing it safe or waiting too long to make bold moves. Indiana has the resources, history, and potential to reclaim its spot among the elites, but only if it acts decisively.
Mitigating the Risk
The only real question surrounding McCollum is his ability to recruit at an elite level. But that risk is easily mitigated. With Indiana’s NIL resources, top-tier facilities, and storied tradition, the program virtually recruits itself when paired with a capable leader. Moreover, McCollum’s track record of developing talent ensures that even if he doesn’t land the absolute best recruits, he’ll get the most out of the players he brings in.
A Vision for the Future
Indiana basketball is at a crossroads. The next coaching hire will either be the move that restores the program’s greatness or solidifies its slide into mediocrity. Ben McCollum represents everything IU needs: tactical brilliance, championship pedigree, and an unmatched ability to develop players.
The window of opportunity is open now, but it won’t stay that way forever. McCollum’s ascent to the pinnacle of college basketball is inevitable. The only question is whether Indiana will be the program that gives him the resources to thrive—or the one left watching him win championships elsewhere.
The time to act is coming, and Indiana cannot afford another missed opportunity. McCollum is a rare talent, and he is exactly the kind of leader who can bring the banners back to Bloomington. The decision is simple: hire McCollum and let the rest of the college basketball world try to catch up.
Why Indiana Basketball Should Give Strong Consideration to Ben McCollum When the Time Comes
Indiana University basketball has long stood as one of the most storied programs in college basketball history. But decades of missteps, questionable hires, and missed opportunities have left the program chasing its past rather than setting the standard for the future. One such missed opportunity haunts IU fans to this day: failing to land Brad Stevens. There was a window—brief though it may have been—when Stevens, an Indiana native and basketball visionary, could have been persuaded to return home. That window closed, and Stevens went on to cement his legacy at Butler and in the NBA.
Now, another golden opportunity is presenting itself, and Indiana cannot afford to miss it. Ben McCollum, the first-year head coach at Drake University, is proving that he is a transformative figure in college basketball. If Indiana wants to reclaim its seat among the blue bloods, McCollum should be at the top of the list when the time comes to make a change.
McCollum’s Proven Track Record of Winning
Ben McCollum is not a newcomer to success. Before arriving at Drake, he built Northwest Missouri State into a Division II powerhouse, winning four national championships. His teams were models of tactical brilliance, discipline, and unrelenting execution. Critics often question whether a coach can replicate that success at higher levels, but McCollum has already begun answering that question emphatically.
In just his first season at Drake, McCollum has the Bulldogs off to a 6-0 start, including a dominant win over Miami and legendary coach Jim Larrañaga. That victory wasn’t just a fluke—it was a masterclass in preparation and tactical superiority. What makes it even more remarkable is that McCollum is achieving these results with a significant talent gap. Four of his five starters are Division II transfers, competing against Miami’s ACC-level roster. Yet, McCollum outthought and outmaneuvered one of the most respected coaches in college basketball, turning what should have been a mismatch into a statement win.
Why McCollum Fits IU Basketball Perfectly
1. Tactical Genius in a Basketball Fishbowl
Indiana’s fanbase is among the most knowledgeable and passionate in the sport. This isn’t a job where weaknesses can be hidden; poor in-game decisions or flawed systems will be dissected and magnified by fans and media alike. McCollum thrives under scrutiny. His ability to break down opponents, adapt on the fly, and elevate his players’ performance is exactly what IU needs.
2. Proven Ability to Maximize Resources
At Northwest Missouri State, McCollum didn’t have the resources of Power 5 programs, yet he dominated. At Drake, he’s already proven capable of leveraging modest resources to achieve outsized results. Imagine what he could do with Indiana’s NIL opportunities, facilities, and recruiting pipelines. The upside is astronomical.
3. Championship Pedigree
McCollum is not just a winner—he’s a championship-caliber leader. His track record shows that he knows how to build a program from the ground up and sustain success. That’s the type of coach who can restore Indiana basketball’s luster and bring banners back to Bloomington.
4. Ability to Develop Talent
McCollum’s success with Division II transfers underscores his ability to maximize player potential. While other coaches rely on elite talent to win, McCollum wins by elevating his players through meticulous preparation, skill development, and team cohesion. This is exactly the kind of approach that wins championships in today’s college basketball landscape.
Why the Time Is Now
McCollum is not going to remain under the radar for long. He’s already proving his ability to succeed in Division I, and it’s only a matter of time before a top-10 program hires him. Once he’s in one of those jobs, the window for IU to land him will likely close forever, just as it did with Brad Stevens.
The risk of waiting is too great. Programs like Kansas, Kentucky, and Duke didn’t ascend to the top by playing it safe or waiting too long to make bold moves. Indiana has the resources, history, and potential to reclaim its spot among the elites, but only if it acts decisively.
Mitigating the Risk
The only real question surrounding McCollum is his ability to recruit at an elite level. But that risk is easily mitigated. With Indiana’s NIL resources, top-tier facilities, and storied tradition, the program virtually recruits itself when paired with a capable leader. Moreover, McCollum’s track record of developing talent ensures that even if he doesn’t land the absolute best recruits, he’ll get the most out of the players he brings in.
A Vision for the Future
Indiana basketball is at a crossroads. The next coaching hire will either be the move that restores the program’s greatness or solidifies its slide into mediocrity. Ben McCollum represents everything IU needs: tactical brilliance, championship pedigree, and an unmatched ability to develop players.
The window of opportunity is open now, but it won’t stay that way forever. McCollum’s ascent to the pinnacle of college basketball is inevitable. The only question is whether Indiana will be the program that gives him the resources to thrive—or the one left watching him win championships elsewhere.
The time to act is coming, and Indiana cannot afford another missed opportunity. McCollum is a rare talent, and he is exactly the kind of leader who can bring the banners back to Bloomington. The decision is simple: hire McCollum and let the rest of the college basketball world try to catch up.
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