Iowa’s “Gritty” Coach McCollum Leads Hawkeyes to Elite 8

Iowa’s “Gritty” Coach McCollum Leads Hawkeyes to Elite 8

The Iowa Hawkeyes are dancing their way to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987, and their fiery head coach, Ben McCollum, is the reason why. McCollum, known for his intense coaching style, joined The Pat McAfee Show after his team’s hard-fought Sweet Sixteen victory. He shared insights into his coaching philosophy and the Hawkeyes’ journey to the top.

McCollum’s “Hard-Nosed” Style

During the game against Nebraska, a video surfaced of McCollum passionately coaching his team during a timeout. When asked about it, he explained that it wasn’t for show. “It’s not an attempt to be spectacular television,” McCollum stated. He believes that to coach players hard today, you need a strong relationship with them. “Now you have to respect him and like him,” he said about modern athletes. This approach, he feels, allows him to push his players to their limits.

McCollum learned from his Division II coach, Steve Tapmire, who had an “old school” style. While similar, McCollum adapted it for today’s players. He emphasized finding solutions in the moment and being consistent with his message. “If they’re not ready to go, then you don’t really need to do that,” he explained, referring to his intense coaching moments. He admitted he sometimes looks back at those moments and thinks, “Man, I can’t look any dumber than that.” But, as Pat McAfee pointed out, “Hey, it worked. It worked. Coach won.”

A Dream Come True for Iowa

The win was emotional for everyone involved, especially for McCollum, who is an Iowa native. “I was crying last night after the game just cuz it’s like you just when when you got hired, everyone in the state was so excited,” he shared. He acknowledged the limitations people sometimes associate with Iowa basketball but is thrilled to be exceeding expectations. For him and his family, last night was “one of the best nights of my life.” The energy around the team is palpable, and they are eager for the next challenge.

Halftime Adjustments and Team Mentality

After a strong start by Nebraska, the Hawkeyes found themselves in a tough spot. McCollum revealed that at halftime, the message was about execution and correcting simple mistakes. “We’ve went over this, we understand the scout. It was simple mistakes that we typically don’t make,” he said. He also noted that they had focused heavily on offense in preparation, perhaps neglecting defense. “We need to make sure we work on both sides of the ball,” he admitted, looking back.

The team’s turnaround was significant, with key plays like a huge three-pointer from Tate Sacre shifting momentum. McCollum highlighted that the team needs to play at 100% to succeed. “If we’re not at, if we’re at 97% and say, ‘Hey, we want to play at 97%,’ it’s just not going to work for our group.” He looks for players who are ready to give everything they have, describing them as guys who “like to fight in the games.”

Comparisons and Future Outlook

McCollum’s success has already drawn comparisons to Indiana football coach Tom Allen, who also had success moving from smaller schools to a Power Five program. While flattered, McCollum stays focused on the present. “I think the second you start to read clippings about yourself, you’re going to have issues,” he said. He added, “If I can win to the level that he’s won at the division one level, I mean that’s a heck of a deal.” However, he playfully stated he’s more of a Kirk Ferentz fan.

Looking ahead to the Elite Eight, McCollum confirmed they are doing extensive scouting. “We do a lot of scouting them. So like last night I downloaded all the Illinois clips from however many games and then you know watched it throughout the night,” he explained. His main focus, however, remains internal. “We just need to make sure that we’re dialed in and play better defense than we did last game.”

Building a “Gritty” Culture

When recruiting, McCollum prioritizes toughness, grit, effort, and energy above all else. He evaluates players and their families, looking for a certain kind of kid. “I grew up in small-town Iowa. I’m naturally just love toughness, love grit, love effort, love energy,” he stated. He avoids what he calls “moody kids” who are inconsistent. “You know, if you’re up and down, you’re not like, you don’t have to be excited about life every day, but you know, you got to be ready to go.”

He also stressed the importance of parents who support a tough coaching style. “I’ve got really good parents. Those parents allow that… they have my back in those situations,” he noted. This support system helps players persevere through challenges. McCollum believes in finding players who “want to be coached hard” and whose parents want the same for them. This approach builds trust and ensures players are committed to growth, not just immediate gains like NIL deals.

The Iowa Experience

The excitement around the Hawkeyes’ success is creating a vibrant atmosphere in Iowa City. McCollum acknowledged the incredible college experience sports can provide, referencing a video of fans celebrating at a bar called The Union. “That is what college experience is supposed to be like right there,” he said. He believes schools that embrace and support their athletic programs create a better overall experience for students.

As the Hawkeyes continue their tournament run, the team is focused on the goal. “We’re trying to go win a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RIGHT NOW,” McCollum declared. The team’s gritty style and McCollum’s intense leadership have them on the cusp of something special.

Source: Iowa Hawkeyes HC Ben McCollum is confident in his hard-nosed coaching style | The Pat McAfee Show (YouTube)