Ben McCollum

[Magnanimous 4,543]

During our last few coaching searches I have casually, half-heartedly, and with some curiosity, thrown this guy’s name around as someone to consider as a wildcard coaching candidate. He was incredibly dominant at the D-2 level with a .800 winning percentage and won four national championships. He’s also young, only being 43.

Naturally, most people on this board scoffed at the idea. Division 1, let alone Indiana, is a whole other animal than coaching D-2; he needs to prove himself elsewhere first; if we’re going with a lower-level coach then it needs to be Michael Lewis because “he gets Indiana basketball”; etc. It made sense to be dismissive at the time, but I remained intrigued.

Anyway, Drake finally pried him away this season, so we’re now getting a chance to see him coach in the Missouri Valley Conference, but with this still being pre-conference basketball he hasn’t been coaching against MVC teams. Instead he’s 6-0 already and racked up double digit wins over Miami and Vanderbilt.

I know our season is just getting going, but assuming we continue to see the results we’re expecting out of Woodson, I hope that we seriously keep an eye on this guy as an actual coaching candidate. He’s going to get his chance at a P5 program very soon at this rate, and if Cig’s success at football shows us anything it’s that maybe it’s the unconventional guy from a smaller school who consistently wins that we’re looking for.

Here’s his wiki page if you want to see his resume. That head coaching record section is something else - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_McCollum

[Home Jersey 6,975]

Thanks for getting the ball rolling, he is my preferred candidate. Make him an offer he can't refuse. 

McCollum and Cig would usher in a golden era of IU athletics.

[sirhoosierlot 2,701]

[Magnanimous 4,543]

4 minutes ago, sirhoosierlot said:

 

[Home Jersey 6,975]

 

[Home Jersey 6,975]

 

[str8baller 5,169]

19 minutes ago, Magnanimous said:

During our last few coaching searches I have casually, half-heartedly, and with some curiosity, thrown this guy’s name around as someone to consider as a wildcard coaching candidate. He was incredibly dominant at the D-2 level with a .800 winning percentage and won four national championships. He’s also young, only being 41.

Naturally, most people on this board scoffed at the idea. Division 1, let alone Indiana, is a whole other animal than coaching D-2; he needs to prove himself elsewhere first; if we’re going with a lower-level coach then it needs to be Michael Lewis because “he gets Indiana basketball”; etc. It made sense to be dismissive at the time, but I remained intrigued.

Anyway, Drake finally pried him away this season, so we’re now getting a chance to see him coach in the Missouri Valley Conference, but with this still being pre-conference basketball he hasn’t been coaching against MVC teams. Instead he’s 6-0 already and racked up double digit wins over Miami and Vanderbilt.

I know our season is just getting going, but assuming we continue to see the results we’re expecting out of Woodson, I hope that we seriously keep an eye on this guy as an actual coaching candidate. He’s going to get his chance at a P5 program very soon at this rate, and if Cig’s success at football shows us anything it’s that maybe it’s the unconventional guy from a smaller school who consistently wins that we’re looking for.

Here’s his wiki page if you want to see his resume. That head coaching record section is something else - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_McCollum

It makes more sense to reach for guys like this now because with NIL you don’t have to worry as much about the step up in recruiting. Interesting candidate. IU won’t have trouble pulling lower division guys if that’s the route they decide to go. 

[LamarCheeks 18,462]

20 minutes ago, Magnanimous said:

Here’s his wiki page if you want to see his resume. That head coaching record section is something else - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_McCollum

So what you're saying is "Google him. He wins." 

[Home Jersey 6,975]

@Magnanimous curious if you think he would leave after just one year at Drake? I haven't checked into his contract details much.

I know 4 of his starting 5 came with him from D2. Not sure how the contractual obligations/finances work out, but from a pure basketball perspective, I could see it making sense to make the leap to P5 since "his guys" will presumably be out of eligibility (I think they're all seniors but could be mistaken). It looks like he has been able to recruit to Drake pretty decently. Hardly have a sense for him though, so could also see him wanting to stick around and build Drake up. 

We should pursue him to the fullest extent possible, candidate #1 and #2 is pretty distant IMO. 

[sirhoosierlot 2,701]

Guard heavy offense 

 

[DoctorP 988]

This thread is the oasis in the desert that is IUBB

[SlammySammy 61]

I'm in....seems like he knows the game of college basketball and google him, he wins

[IU Prof 832]

I don't think Dolson will follow the Cignetti hire for the next BB coach. He'll want a proven winner at the high major level. Or Brad Stevens.

[Ryno6284 2,628]

If Beard is an absolute no, then this should be the guy or Greg Tonagel!

[Ryno6284 2,628]

I've been right there with you Magnanimous!

[Unexpectedflash 1,014]

They play super slow and don’t take many 3s but they win. Probably better than what we have now but I think we can do better. 

[Magnanimous 4,543]

33 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

@Magnanimous curious if you think he would leave after just one year at Drake? I haven't checked into his contract details much.

I know 4 of his starting 5 came with him from D2. Not sure how the contractual obligations/finances work out, but from a pure basketball perspective, I could see it making sense to make the leap to P5 since "his guys" will presumably be out of eligibility (I think they're all seniors but could be mistaken). It looks like he has been able to recruit to Drake pretty decently. Hardly have a sense for him though, so could also see him wanting to stick around and build Drake up. 

We should pursue him to the fullest extent possible, candidate #1 and #2 is pretty distant IMO. 

No clue, but if he doesn’t want to leave (yet) it won’t be because of Drake’s contract or what IU can offer.

[Magnanimous 4,543]

Lunardi has Drake as a 12 seed in his current bracketology. 

[Home Jersey 6,975]

4 minutes ago, Unexpectedflash said:

They play super slow and don’t take many 3s but they win. Probably better than what we have now but I think we can do better. 

Just my opinion, but I think that a coach with the ability to win four D2 championships is appealing because of the demonstrated winning culture, not necessarily the play style or X's and O's philosophy (which I agree is an important consideration and would need to be discussed during the hypothetical hiring process). Basically, I think he's more than capable of adjusting his schemes to fit the level of competition. What makes me excited about him as a candidate is the fact he has already won at a very high level so he will be able to lead effectively, set the culture/standards, and take care of the off court things we don't see, but are required to win big. 

I'm definitely open to other candidates, but I'm hard pressed finding many higher quality ones that seem feasible. 

[Stuhoo 80,092]

6 minutes ago, Unexpectedflash said:

They play super slow and don’t take many 3s but they win. Probably better than what we have now but I think we can do better. 

That's why I love BUCKY BALL!