Podcast Summary: Eye On College Basketball
Episode: Iowa's Ben McCollum is READY for Year One with the Hawkeyes
Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Gary Parrish
Guest: Ben McCollum (First-year Head Coach, Iowa)
Overview
In this episode, Gary Parrish sits down with newly hired Iowa men’s basketball head coach Ben McCollum at Big Ten Media Day. Known for his meteoric rise from Division II dominance to the Big Ten, McCollum shares insights on his coaching journey, philosophies, and what it means to lead his home state’s premier basketball program. The discussion covers adapting to new levels, breaking coaching stereotypes, building a winning culture, player development, and even coaching his own son.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Becoming the Iowa Head Coach: Emotional Realities
- McCollum describes the surreal feeling of being introduced as Iowa’s head coach, especially when the fight song played—something that made the reality sink in.
- Quote:
"The first time I heard the fight song that announced me...that was probably the surreal moment that was like, man, I’m the head coach, the University of Iowa. This is going to be fun."
(Ben McCollum, 01:49)
- Quote:
2. Lessons From Division II Success
- Freedom to experiment & learn: Working at Northwest Missouri State allowed McCollum to “make mistakes without the outside noise,” giving him the chance to refine his coaching style and decision-making.
- Developing confidence away from scrutiny: This environment enabled him to trust his instincts, preparing him for the scrutiny at higher levels.
- Quote:
"It allowed me to make mistakes without the outside noise...that allowed me to have confidence in the path that we needed to take."
(Ben McCollum, 02:28)
- Quote:
3. The Decision to Move Up
- No burning ambition for Division I: McCollum says he coached to “change kids’ lives,” not to chase a job at a higher level.
- Gravitating toward the next challenge: He credits a sense of timing and personal growth—"something higher calling"—for his eventual move to Division I and then the Big Ten.
- Quote:
"I didn’t really ever have ambitions necessarily. The reason I got into coaching was I just wanted to change kids’ lives."
(Ben McCollum, 03:33)
- Quote:
4. Breaking Down Stereotypes About 'D2 Coaches'
- Discussion of how coaches from non-Division I backgrounds can face unjust labeling, but those barriers are coming down.
- McCollum’s perspective: Uses “chip on my shoulder” mentality as motivation and affirms that coaching acumen exists at all levels.
- Quote:
“If they keep with that cliche thought of ‘he's just the Division 2 coach,’ that helps work with a chip on my shoulder.... There's good coaches everywhere.”
(Ben McCollum, 04:43)
- Quote:
5. Impact on Future Hires and Coaching ‘Copycat Culture’
- McCollum discusses the perception that his success could open doors for more lower-level coaches to get high-major opportunities, but cautions that success is always personal and situational.
- Quote:
"Just because one Division 2 coach succeeds doesn’t mean the next one’s going to. Every coach is different. It’s the person themselves that has the success."
(Ben McCollum, 06:01)
- Quote:
6. Peer Recognition and the ‘Best Hire of 2025’ Accolade
- Parrish shares that McCollum was voted by his peers as the best coaching hire of 2025 in CBS Sports’ annual Candid Coaches survey.
- McCollum finds it humbling but sees it as a reflection on his administration and staff rather than a guarantee of future wins.
- Quote:
"It’s humbling. I do appreciate that people respect the way we’ve done things...but I don’t think it helps us win basketball games."
(Ben McCollum, 07:32)
- Quote:
7. McCollum’s Coaching ‘Superpower’
- Talent identification: McCollum believes he excels at choosing the right people and creating a culture of exponential growth for players and staff.
- Drive and competition: Lifelong competitiveness and relentless work ethic shape his leadership style.
- Quote:
"My superpower lies in the ability to identify the right people and create an environment that allows everybody to grow and get exponentially better."
(Ben McCollum, 08:51)
- Quote:
8. Bringing Players Along on the Journey
- Honest about uncertainty in elevating players from Division II to Division I, McCollum ultimately trusts “winning characteristics” like toughness and togetherness over raw talent.
- This approach resulted in success with several players making the leap with him, underlining the importance of intangibles.
- Quote:
"Togetherness, toughness, effort...your connectivity, all those things still win basketball games. If you get those kids that do that, you’re going to win."
(Ben McCollum, 10:27)
- Quote:
9. Spotlight on Bennett Sturtz
- McCollum details the trajectory of Bennett Sturtz, a once-overlooked player now an NBA prospect.
- Attributes Sturtz's success to high basketball IQ and resilience fueled by being doubted.
- Quote:
"He didn’t get recruited...there was a lot that came in and watched him and just did not believe in him. He remembers that and kind of uses that to his advantage."
(Ben McCollum, 11:45)
- Quote:
10. Coaching His Son, Peyton
- Reflects on the unique dynamic of coaching his son, balancing professional and personal roles.
- Emphasizes treating Peyton like any other player in the gym, but cherishes extra time together off the court, even if it occasionally causes jealousy at home.
- Quote:
"When you go into the gym, you don't really think about that. You don't really think, oh, that's my son...after the fact, when he's walking around the offices and stuff like that, it's more, hey, there's my son. This is pretty cool."
(Ben McCollum, 13:08)
- Quote:
Notable Quotes
- "The first time I heard the fight song that announced me...that was probably the surreal moment." – Ben McCollum (01:49)
- "It allowed me to make mistakes without the outside noise...that allowed me to have confidence in the path we needed to take." – Ben McCollum (02:28)
- "I just wanted to change kids’ lives. That was the whole goal." – Ben McCollum (03:33)
- "There's good coaches everywhere...it's not shocking. I think it's more just the other stuff that's associated with this level." – Ben McCollum (04:43)
- "It becomes kind of a copycat thing...but it's the person themselves that has the success." – Ben McCollum (06:01)
- "My superpower lies in the ability to identify the right people and create an environment that allows everybody to grow and get exponentially better." – Ben McCollum (08:51)
- "Togetherness, toughness, effort—all those things still win basketball games." – Ben McCollum (10:27)
- "He didn't get recruited...he remembers that and kind of uses that to his advantage." – Ben McCollum (11:45)
- "When you go into the gym, you don't really think about that...after the fact, when he's walking through the offices, it's more, hey, there's my son. This is pretty cool." – Ben McCollum (13:08)
Important Timestamps
- 01:49: McCollum on the surreal moment of being introduced as Iowa’s head coach
- 02:28: Lessons learned and freedom from scrutiny at Division II
- 03:33: Coaching motivations and lack of D1-driven ambition
- 04:43: Stereotypes and breaking barriers for lower-level coaches
- 06:01: The limitations and meaning of coaching “copycat” culture
- 07:32: Reflections on being named ‘Best Hire’ by coaching peers
- 08:51: McCollum’s coaching philosophy and strengths
- 10:27: Philosophy behind moving players up divisions
- 11:45: Bennett Sturtz’s story and NBA potential
- 13:08: On coaching his own son and family impacts
Tone and Style
The conversation is honest, humble, and upbeat. McCollum speaks candidly about learning curves, motivation, and the deep satisfaction in building character and community within teams. Gary Parrish maintains his signature mix of enthusiasm, curiosity, and insight, drawing out personal and professional reflections.
Summary Takeaway
This episode offers a compelling look at Ben McCollum’s ascent from Division II star to Big Ten leader, underscoring coaching wisdom about adaptability, culture-building, and the value of relationships. Listeners will appreciate McCollum’s humility, focus on player development, and nuanced take on what makes a coach—and a program—successful at any level.