Iowa Coach Ben McCollum Embraces Big Ten Lifestyle

Hawkeyes head coach adjusts to new conference perks and expectations

Mar. 28, 2026 at 4:48pm

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Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Ben McCollum has made the transition from a smaller conference to the Big Ten, bringing with him a new level of resources, media attention, and expectations. McCollum and Michigan Wolverines coach Dusty May joined the College GameDay crew to discuss the changes they've experienced in moving to the high-profile Big Ten.

Why it matters

The move to a major conference like the Big Ten can be a major culture shock for coaches, requiring them to adapt to increased scrutiny, bigger budgets, and heightened pressure to win. How McCollum navigates this transition will be closely watched as he aims to build the Hawkeyes into a Big Ten contender.

The details

After leading Northwest Missouri State to sustained success in Division II, McCollum took the Iowa job two years ago. Now in the Big Ten, he's had to adjust to a higher level of media obligations, recruiting battles, and expectations from fans and administrators.

  • McCollum was hired as Iowa's head coach in 2024.
  • He led Northwest Missouri State to multiple Division II tournament appearances before taking the Iowa job.

The players

Ben McCollum

The head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team, who previously had success at the Division II level with Northwest Missouri State.

Dusty May

The head coach of the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team, who has also had to adjust to the demands of coaching in the Big Ten conference.

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What they’re saying

“The resources and attention are on a whole other level in the Big Ten. It's been an adjustment, but one I'm embracing as we work to build Iowa into a consistent winner in this conference.”

— Ben McCollum, Head Coach, Iowa Hawkeyes

“The recruiting battles, the media scrutiny, the fan expectations - it's all amplified in the Big Ten. But that's why we signed up for this, to compete at the highest level.”

— Dusty May, Head Coach, Michigan Wolverines

What’s next

McCollum and the Hawkeyes will look to build on a promising first season in the Big Ten as they aim to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022.

The takeaway

The transition to a major conference like the Big Ten presents both opportunities and challenges for coaches like McCollum. How they adapt to the increased resources, media attention, and pressure to win will be crucial to their long-term success.