McCollum’s Big Ten Bounce: From Bus Driver to Elite 8

McCollum’s Big Ten Bounce: From Bus Driver to Elite 8

Iowa’s head coach Ben McCollum is living the good life in the Big Ten now, but his journey to the top has been anything but easy. Before leading the Hawkeyes to the brink of the Final Four, McCollum was a national champion at Division II Northwest Missouri State and set a program record with 31 wins in a season at Drake. His success is undeniable, but the path to get here involved a lot more than just coaching.

Viral Moment and Coaching Philosophy

During a Sweet 16 game, a hilarious, intense facial expression from McCollum went viral as he seemingly yelled at a player to grab a rebound. “They do laugh and then I get made fun of constantly afterwards,” McCollum admitted. He embraces this, noting his kids were raised to understand intensity and allow for friendly teasing. “I’m a pretty easy target,” he joked. The moment, while funny, highlighted his passionate coaching style, which he insists isn’t that different from lower levels.

The Coaching Difference: Noise, Not Skill

When asked about the difference between coaching at Division II and Division I, McCollum stated the fundamental coaching isn’t that different. In fact, he suggested coaching at lower levels can be harder because you don’t always get to pick your full roster. “You have to take the next available guy,” he explained, meaning coaches often have to adapt on the fly. The real difference, he emphasized, is the “shockingly different” amount of noise and scrutiny at the higher level. For 15 seasons, he could make mistakes without widespread public judgment, but now, decisions are watched more closely. “Fortunately, we created enough confidence in what we’re doing that when we get to this level, a lot of times that stuff doesn’t bother me as much,” he said.

Game Day Rituals: Snickers and Coffee

McCollum’s pre-game routine is a testament to his belief in routine and minimizing distractions. It involves a 90-minute workout, followed by 30 minutes before the game. His secret weapon? A Snickers bar and coffee. “Absolutely. Nothing better,” he said about the post-workout snack. He explained that he used to eat a Snickers as a player to regulate his blood sugar. Now, it’s part of a routine that helps him manage the “game day misery” head coaches often feel. The workout helps, the coffee energizes, and the Snickers is a familiar comfort. “The less decisions you have to make, the more your mind is ready to make decisions in the game,” McCollum stated.

From Bus Driver to Charter Flights

The coach admitted that the Division I level can be “a little bougie” at times. He shared the most difficult task he no longer has to do: driving the team bus. Early in his career as an assistant at Emporia State, making about $25,000-$27,000, he got his CDL to become the bus driver to save money. This involved long drives, scouting, recruiting, and then cleaning and fueling the bus, often getting home around 3 a.m. The biggest perk of the current level? “Those charter flights, man, those hit a little different,” McCollum enthused. He now enjoys the luxury of flying private, a far cry from his days driving the team bus.

Looking Ahead: A Tough Matchup

As Iowa prepares for a big challenge against Illinois, McCollum acknowledged the opponent’s strengths. “They’re a good team. They’ve got great length. They built it the right way,” he noted, also mentioning their dynamic guard. The conversation then shifted to Michigan’s Dusty May and his team’s impressive offensive performance, averaging over 95 points per game in the tournament. May discussed adjustments made at halftime against Alabama, focusing on getting to shooters quicker and not overhelping. He also highlighted how the bench, particularly players like Rody Gale Jr. and Trey McKenna, have stepped up to fill the scoring void left by an injured player. May praised Yaxel Lendore, a player he described as having incredible potential, capable of playing almost any sport. Looking ahead to a tough Elite Eight game against Tennessee, May described the Volunteers as wanting “Armageddon” and preparing for a “battle” and “feudal warfare in the paint,” recognizing their strength in offensive rebounding.

Source: Iowa HC Ben McCollum is LIVING THE BOUJEE LIFE now in the Big Ten 😮‍💨 | College GameDay (YouTube)