The Bulldogs hired the biggest name in Division II
McCollum finished his playing career at Northwestern Missouri State and immediately began his coaching career there as a graduate assistant upon graduation. After a short stint as an assistant at Emporia State, he would take over as the head man at his alma mater in 2009. All he did in his 15 years with the Bearcats was build one of the strongest dynasties at the Division II level in recent memory.
He amassed a 395-63 record that included four national championships, a canceled COVID season with a 31-1 record, 11 NCAA tournament appearances, eight conference tournament titles, 12 regular season titles, and five national Coach of the Year awards.
Thus far the transition to Division I hasn’t been as difficult for him as a coach as it has been for some programs making the same transition. Like most new coaches, he has done it by bringing along some of his players from Northwestern Missouri State. He also dipped into the JUCO ranks to help fill a roster that saw 10 players leave after the coaching change.
McCollum may not have been the highest-profile or biggest name hired this season, but the early returns show that he has been a home run hire for the Bulldogs so far.