Ben McCollum turned down an interview offer from North Carolina because he wants to sustain a program in Iowa City. That's not an accident.
"Those are all lies."
That's what Iowa men's basketball head coach Ben McCollum told reporters during a press conference on March 27 before the Hawkeyes' Elite Eight showdown against rival Illinois the following day.
McCollum's statement pretty much confirmed to the assembling press that he would remain Iowa's head coach for 2027 and beyond, but that still didn't stop rumors from swirling.
Much of the national media's attention centered on the vacancy at North Carolina, which had been open for nearly a week by that point. Many coaches would consider coaching the Tar Heels a dream job, and why wouldn't they? UNC has won six NCAA championships, has a loyal fanbase that contributes plenty of NIL cash, and will always be regarded as one of the sport's best programs.
McCollum has only coached at the Division I level for two seasons, but his incredible job guiding Iowa to the Elite Eight in his first season - the program's first trip in 39 years - was more than enough to garner interest from the Tar Heels, so much so that Matt Norlander of CBS Sports reported that school officials had reached out to McCollum to request an interview.
What did McCollum say? No thanks.
North Carolina instead hired former NBA coach Michael Malone, a hire that most did not see coming, but that has nothing to do with Iowa anymore.
If McCollum continues to win with the Hawkeyes, will he continue to receive offers from blue bloods? Absolutely. Kansas will open in a few years, and Kentucky could follow suit. Both schools could look at McCollum, but it would be shocking to hear anything other than a no from the coach.
Why? Because Iowa retains coaches, not cycle through them.
McCollum said it himself. He wants to build a basketball program similar to that of his football counterpart - Kirk Ferentz. Ferentz has turned down numerous NFL opportunities to stay with the Hawkeyes, and he's now entering his 28th season as head coach.
The same goes for the women's basketball and men's wrestling programs. Wrestling coach Tom Brands has served for 20 seasons, while women's basketball coach Jan Jensen - just two years in as head coach - was an assistant under Lisa Bluder for 24 seasons and turned down head coaching opportunities to remain in Iowa City.
Most collegiate athletic departments consistently cycle through coaches, but that's just not the case at the University of Iowa.
The Hawkeyes retain coaches, not lose them.
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