Iowa’s “Fiery Underdog” Reaches Elite 8

Iowa’s “Fiery Underdog” Reaches Elite 8

The Iowa Hawkeyes men’s basketball team is heading to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1987, and a lot of the credit goes to their energetic head coach, Ben McCollum. McCollum, who previously led Northwest Missouri State to a Division II national championship, has brought a new level of intensity to the Iowa program.

A Coach Who “Coaches Hard”

In a recent interview, McCollum explained his coaching style, which was on full display during a tense Sweet Sixteen victory. “I was coached by a guy by the name of Steve Tatapmire in division 2 and it was probably more old school coaching,” McCollum said. “I felt like I could be similar to that but slightly different.” He believes that while you have to respect today’s players, you also need them to like you. “The ability to coach guys hard, you have to have that relationship before you can,” he added. “I don’t just go in and start screaming at people, but we have a relationship. I always tell them the truth. You’re brutally honest with them.” This approach, he says, is a consistent part of his coaching when players aren’t performing at their best.

A Wild Moment on the Court

During the same game, a strange play occurred where Iowa seemed to have an extra player on the court, leading to an easy layup. McCollum admitted he didn’t even notice at first. “I’m going to be honest, I had no idea,” he confessed. “Bennett and then Alvaro and Kale knew. So, we had three guys, the inbounder, Bennett knew, and then Al knew, the guy that made the the layup.” He asked his staff why the player was so open, only to find out the other team only had four players on the court. “Well, it’s a heck of a deal for us,” McCollum remarked with a laugh. “So, that certainly helped us to to pull away from him.”

“On To The Next” Mentality

Despite the massive achievement of reaching the Elite Eight, McCollum keeps his team focused on the future. “We just tell them we’re on to the next,” he stated. He recalled winning the national championship in 2017 and how the immediate feeling was fleeting. “It’s the kind of the memories that you make throughout the season,” McCollum explained. “So for us it’s on to the next onto the next game and we still have business and um need to try to get to that Final Four.”

Halftime Adjustments

After a strong start by Nebraska, Iowa found themselves needing to regroup at halftime. McCollum identified the issue as his team letting the opponent dictate the game. “I thought they were dictating what what we were doing. I thought they imposed their will on us,” he said. “Meaning when they came down offensively, we were chasing trying to predict what they were doing rather than telling them what they’re going to do.” At halftime, the message was simple: stick to the game plan. “It was more just hey we’ve went over this we understand the scout it was simple mistakes that we typically don’t make,” McCollum noted. He also acknowledged the need to balance offensive preparation with defensive focus.

Comparisons to Success

McCollum’s rapid success at Iowa has drawn comparisons to other coaches who have excelled after moving up from smaller divisions. Some fans have even compared him to Indiana football coach Tom Allen. “Yeah, I mean, probably a huge compliment,” McCollum responded. “I don’t really pay attention. I think the second you you start to read clippings about yourself, you’re going to have issues.” 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 humorously stated he’s more of a Kirk Ference fan.

Building a “Gritty” Team

When asked about what makes a player succeed under his intense coaching style, McCollum emphasized the importance of a player’s background and personality. “It’s a lot of work. I mean, that’s what we try to evaluate first is, you know, parents, you know, I guess the parents that they were raised by,” he shared. “And then just the feel when you get to know them and to meet them.” He looks for players who can handle tough coaching without becoming discouraged. “I just can’t do moods,” McCollum stated. “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 highlighted the crucial role of supportive parents who understand and back his coaching methods.

The “Why Not Iowa?” Spirit

As the Hawkeyes continue their unexpected tournament run, the question on everyone’s mind is, “Why not Iowa?” McCollum and his team embody a gritty, determined spirit that has captivated fans. Their journey to the Elite Eight is a testament to their hard work, resilience, and the passionate coaching that drives them forward. With the Final Four now within reach, Iowa is proving that sometimes, the most exciting stories come from the most unexpected places.

Source: The "Fiery Underdog" Coach No One Expected To Take Over March Madness | Iowa's Ben McCollum (YouTube)