4. Ben McCollum (Iowa)
Not many people in the college basketball universe knew McCollum’s name even three years ago but a lot has changed very quickly. He was already one of the country’s best coaches, taking his alma mater Northwest Missouri State to four D2 national titles in a six-year span. He finally accepted the leap to the D1 level in 2024, finishing 31-4 in his lone season at Drake which included a first-round win in the NCAA Tournament.
The leap into the Big Ten was an even more significant jump and yet somehow McCollum nailed the landing once again. Using some of his returning players from both Northwest Missouri State and Drake, he led the Hawkeyes all the way to the Elite Eight in his debut. Iowa exceeded every expectation across a 24-win season even after finishing in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten.
In just one postseason McCollum managed to achieve more than a majority of these coaches have done across their careers. He’s a champion and an incredible teacher and program builder and the Iowa City native showed no signs of slowing down in year one back in his hometown. It’s excited to wonder what could be next for him and the Hawkeyes and it’s not an exaggeration having him this high after just two years at the D1 level.
Add us as a preferred source on Google