After an impressive run to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament, Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Ben McCollum has agreed to a six-year contract extension, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
NEWS: Iowa coach Ben McCollum is finalizing a new six-year contract, sources told me and @jeffborzello . McCollum led the Hawkeyes to the Elite Eight in his first season at the helm and was pursued by North Carolina during the Tar Heels’ coaching search last month. pic.twitter.com/r3V7fhVCga
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— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 8, 2026
Friday’s news should bring relief to Iowa fans after McCollum was reportedly a candidate in the North Carolina Tar Heels’ head coaching search.
While the Tar Heels pursued him, McCollum is an Iowa City native and will ultimately remain with a Hawkeyes team that turned heads during March Madness.
The Elite Eight appearance marked their deepest tournament run since 1987.
Before joining Drake in 2024, McCollum coached Northwest Missouri State to four Division II national championship victories. He only spent one year with the Bulldogs, but they finished with a 31-4 record and reached the Round of 32.
After a 24-13 finish in 2025, Iowa will lose senior guard Bennett Stirtz, but will retain much of their scoring power. They’ve also made several solid moves in the transfer portal, setting them up for another big season.
McCollum’s track record is elite. He has an overall career coaching record of 450-108 and will now look to push the Hawkeyes further than they’ve ever been before.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
