When Ben McCollum became Iowa’s new head coach, his introductory press conference was the most talked-about topic. It focused on the roster and how he planned to assemble a team for the 2025-26 season. Since the new season is still months away, questions about team building remain ongoing.
However, at times, the discussion shifts from who he will recruit to who he might remove from the roster. Recently, the new head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes shared the qualities that could get a player kicked out of his program.
Ben McCollum Breaks Down What He Really Wants in Iowa Basketball Recruits
Ben McCollum was the head coach of Drake men’s basketball during the 2024-25 season. He joined Drake in April 2024 after an impressive run at Northwest Missouri State, where he won four NCAA Division II national championships.
Then, in March 2025, McCollum made a big jump. He became the head coach of Iowa men’s basketball, taking over from Fran McCaffery. After just one season at Drake, he now leads the Iowa Hawkeyes in the tough Big Ten Conference.
Now leading Iowa in the Big Ten, McCollum is bringing the same tough-minded philosophy that made him successful. From the start, he has laid out exactly what he’s looking for in a recruit. He wants players who are mentally tough, team-first, and built to win. According to him, high school winners should carry a mindset that sets the tone for success at the college level.
Recently, he said, “We want [guys] that have won in high school… they expect to win…. of the things that will get you out of our program.. moody, soft… lack of toughness kids.” This approach comes at a critical time for Iowa basketball. After McCaffery’s departure, the team faced heavy roster changes. Several players entered the transfer portal, and top recruits backed out. McCollum now has the job of building Iowa’s new identity from scratch.
What does Ben McCollum look for in a recruit:
“We want [guys] that have won in high school… they expect to win…. of the things that will get you out of our program.. moody, soft… lack of toughness kids.”
(Via @Outkick 🎥)
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) May 25, 2025
Still, he’s already making progress. He landed in-state talent Trevin Jirak and also brought in Tate Sage, a former Drake commit. These early moves show that McCollum has a clear vision, and he’s acting fast to make it happen.
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As he rebuilds Iowa’s roster, McCollum’s no-nonsense style is setting a bold new tone. Whether it leads to big wins remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—he’s building a team that mirrors his mindset. And only a real leader with a clear purpose can turn that vision into reality.
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