Ben McCollum, renowned for leading the most successful men’s college basketball dynasty of the last decade at Northwest Missouri State, has been introduced as the head coach of the men’s basketball team at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
Hailing from Storm Lake, McCollum arrives in the Capital City following a distinguished 15-year tenure as the head coach at NCAA Division II powerhouse Northwest Missouri State University. During his time at Northwest Missouri State, McCollum secured an impressive four national championships, including three consecutive titles from 2017 to 2022.
Expressing his enthusiasm for joining the Drake basketball family, McCollum highlighted the program’s recent success and expressed gratitude to President Martin and Athletics Director Brian Hardin for the opportunity. McCollum’s coaching career at Northwest Missouri State was marked by extraordinary achievements, including a remarkable 394-91 record (81.2% win percentage), five NABC Division II National Coach of the Year awards, and nine Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Coach of the Year awards.
McCollum’s coaching journey began as a graduate assistant at Northwest Missouri State, followed by a stint at Emporia State before returning to his alma mater as the head coach. As a player, McCollum played a pivotal role in Northwest Missouri State’s success, leading the team to its first-ever Elite Eight appearance in 2001-02.
McCollum graduated from St. Mary’s High School. He and his wife, Michelle, are proud parents of two sons, Peyton and Tate, and a daughter, Grace Ann.
Photo credit – Drake University Athletic Department / Des Moines, IA