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Iowa Coach Ben McCollum Turns Down North Carolina Interview
McCollum commits to staying with Hawkeyes despite interest from Tar Heels
Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:19am
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McCollum's commitment to Iowa solidifies the Hawkeyes' status as a top contender in the Big Ten.Iowa City TodayIowa men's basketball head coach Ben McCollum has reportedly turned down an interview request from the University of North Carolina, reaffirming his commitment to leading the Hawkeyes program next season.
Why it matters
McCollum's decision to stay at Iowa is a major boost for the Hawkeyes, who are coming off a successful season that saw them reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. His refusal of the North Carolina job opening maintains stability and continuity for the Iowa program.
The details
News broke that North Carolina had expressed interest in interviewing McCollum for their head coaching vacancy. However, the 45-year-old coach quickly shut down the speculation, telling reporters that he has no plans to leave Iowa City and is fully focused on leading the Hawkeyes next season.
- McCollum made his comments ahead of Iowa's appearance in the 2026 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
The players
Ben McCollum
The 45-year-old head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team.
University of North Carolina
The prestigious college basketball program that reportedly expressed interest in interviewing McCollum for their head coaching job.
What they’re saying
“Those are all lies,”
— Ben McCollum, Head Coach, Iowa Hawkeyes
The takeaway
McCollum's decision to remain at Iowa is a major win for the Hawkeyes program, as he has built them into a consistent contender in the Big Ten. His refusal of the North Carolina job opening shows his commitment to continuing to develop the Iowa team and program.
