Iowa Forward Cooper Koch Embraces Defensive Role

Legacy recruit stays with Hawkeyes through coaching change, embraces new defensive focus under Ben McCollum.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 10:47am

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Outside of the first coaching change in 15 years, a 180-degree rotation in playstyle priorities, and a newfound level of support from the Hawkeye fanbase, the 2024-25 and 2025-26 Iowa men's basketball teams have one thing in common: Cooper Koch. The legacy recruit stayed with the Hawkeyes despite a coaching change and a shift to a defensive-minded approach under new head coach Ben McCollum.

Why it matters

Cooper Koch's decision to remain with the Iowa program through a coaching change and shift in team identity highlights his commitment to the Hawkeyes and belief that the team can return to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 under the new defensive-focused system.

The details

After redshirting his freshman season due to medical conditions, Cooper Koch considered transferring when the coach who recruited him was dismissed. However, he decided to stay after meeting with new head coach Ben McCollum, who emphasized a defensive-minded approach that Koch felt would help improve his game. This season, Koch has taken on the task of guarding the opposition's best wing player, helping Iowa lead the Big Ten in opponent points per game. He has also developed into one of the team's best 3-point shooters, making 38% of his attempts.

  • Cooper Koch was first offered a spot on the Iowa team when he was 14 years old, after impressing at a youth summer camp.
  • He committed to Iowa ahead of his junior year of high school, after considering offers from several other Big Ten schools.
  • The 2024-25 season was a difficult one for Koch, as the coach who recruited him was dismissed and most of his teammates left the program.
  • This season, under new head coach Ben McCollum, Koch has embraced the team's defensive-focused approach and emerged as one of the Hawkeyes' top players.

The players

Cooper Koch

A forward for the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team, and a legacy recruit whose father J.R. Koch played for the Hawkeyes in the 1990s.

J.R. Koch

Cooper Koch's father, who was a staple of the Iowa Hawkeyes' 1998-99 team that reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

Fran McCaffery

The former head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team, who first offered Cooper Koch a spot on the team when he was 14 years old.

Ben McCollum

The current head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team, who emphasizes a defensive-minded approach that has appealed to Cooper Koch.

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What they’re saying

“I remember thinking, 'Wow, that'd be pretty cool.' That'd be my dream school to go to. It was just different because I knew I still had a long way to go. But to know that something was out there, that this was actually a possibility, was pretty surreal.”

— Cooper Koch, Iowa Forward

“I think he wanted to go down the path and kind of have his experience at Iowa. He went through that process, we visited a lot of different schools, talked to a lot of coaches… And he came to that decision and said, 'You know what, this is where I want to be.'”

— J.R. Koch, Cooper Koch's Father

“He brings a winning culture, as people have learned, and a style of defense that I knew I needed. I knew that was definitely an opportunity to grow in that area of the game.”

— Cooper Koch, Iowa Forward

What’s next

The Hawkeyes will look to continue their strong defensive play and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament, with Cooper Koch playing a key role.

The takeaway

Cooper Koch's decision to stay with the Iowa Hawkeyes through a coaching change and shift in team identity demonstrates his commitment to the program and belief that the team can return to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 under the new defensive-focused system led by head coach Ben McCollum.