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Iowa is working on a contract extension for Ben McCollum

TampaHawkFan

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What I'm reading is that it's a new 6 year contract, not a 6 year EXTENSION, but details not yet released. If he just has a new 6 year contract then I'm assuming Ben's annual salary was bumped up nicely, if the duration of the contract is still at 6 years. I think his initial contract was a 6 year deal, so he would have had 5 years left.
 
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

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TampaHawkFan said:
100%. Dumb would be letting your guy slip away because you want to be cautious/cheap. Pay the man. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. Given Ben's track record and what he accomplished this March, it's a risk I'm OK seeing Beth take.

I've said recently - if Ben ever leaves, just make sure it isn't because of money.
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What do you think he'll now be getting? Between $5M and $6M/year?
 
Palmerhawk

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Franisdaman said:
Coaches were calling him when he was at DII to discuss X's and O's.

We are lucky to have him.

Just hope we can hold on to him.

He's just 45; if it worked out, he could be here another 20 (to 25) years.
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Reminds me a bit of John bielein...labored in obscurity for years even as insiders knew he was a great coach....finally West VA....then Michigan.

Good news!
 
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EvilMonkeyInTheCloset

EvilMonkeyInTheCloset

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WestCoastHawkI said:
I would have liked to see a bit more consistency before a big extension, honestly.
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Old way of doing things, yes.

Nowadays, at any program that isn't considered a "destination program", any chance you get to lock in a coach, you have to take it.

Indiana has done three different deals with Curt Cignetti through just two seasons of coaching. After his initial signing, they locked him in following Year One success that saw them make the CFP. They didn't want him bolting after one year, $greener$ pastures.

And that investment paid off with a national championship the following year, and a subsequent pay raise.

Not suggesting we have that to look forward to this year, given our roster makeup, but there's at least a peace of mind that comes with this extension for both sides.
 
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AndreTheHawk

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Franisdaman said:
And risk losing him?
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Money isn't the be-all/end-all for everybody that some folks believe to be the case.

I don't think Ben McCollum was going anywhere regardless of what Iowa pays him. He's not starving by any stretch of the imagination as-is.

Coaching College Sports is one of the very best gigs on Planet Earth. Have one good year and get a huge raise and extension, then suck a year or two later and get fired and paid millions 💸 to walk away. And the usual suspects saying "pay the man", with the typical caveat "as long as it's not my money". Funny how that works.

I like Ben McCollum as much as the next guy, but he could Coach at Iowa for another decade and not make another Elite Eight run and nobody should be surprised. History suggests that's far more likely than not. What you pay him won't matter near as much as what his players are making likely will, sadly.
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

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AndreTheHawk said:
Money isn't the be-all/end-all for everybody that some folks believe to be the case.
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Not sure about that.

One thing I keep hearing is that to win in today's NIL world, you need 2 things: (1) a great head coach; (2) money (NIL). Facilities and traditional success don't matter like they used to.

3 examples from this past season:

Michigan has a great coach + lots of NIL money = national championship

IOWA has a great coach + not enough NIL money for a center (a year ago Ben said they were too expensive) = LOSS in the Elite 8

Kentucky has a questionable coach + $22M roster = LOSS in the round of 32
 
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

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Roncuba65 said:
No way. This is the coach we have been waiting for since Lute (No knock on Dr. Tom) we have to show commitment and it seems like he wants to be here. If he was trying to leave he would of went to UNC.
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Speaking of him wanting to be here, apparently they have purchased land in the Iowa City area & are building a home.

I agree that Beth/IOWA need to show how committed they are to him; a contract extension after Ben's first year does just that.

And when it comes to coaching contracts, this is the market:

$8.33M/year at North Carolina: Ben turned down an interview with North Carolina. UNC then pivoted and hired Mike Malone for a six-year, $50 million contract.

$3.79M/year at IOWA: Last year Ben signed a six-year, $22.75 million contract, starting at $3.35 million in his first season (2025-26) and rising to $4.1 million by the final year, 2030-31.

www.espn.com

Malone sees chance to be 'part of something special' at UNC

New Tar Heels coach Michael Malone called North Carolina the only college job he would've accepted, saying he recognizes he has a "chance to be a part of something special" there.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

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AndreTheHawk said:
What you pay him won't matter near as much as what his players are making likely will, sadly.
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* I think we found the perfect coach for IOWA and I think you have to pay him the current market rate.

* If we would have had enough money for a center last year, we might have gone further than the Elite 8.

We needed a center vs Illinois, that's for sure.

With 7:27 to go and a Final Four berth on the line, IOWA was leading Illinois 51-50. Unfortunately, we got outscored 21-8 the rest of the way.
 
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

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TampaHawkFan said:
What I'm reading is that it's a new 6 year contract, not a 6 year EXTENSION, but details not yet released. If he just has a new 6 year contract then I'm assuming Ben's annual salary was bumped up nicely, if the duration of the contract is still at 6 years. I think his initial contract was a 6 year deal, so he would have had 5 years left.
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Yeah, a month ago Beth called what they were working on an extension.

It will be interesting to see if the old contract is "torn up" and replaced with a new one that runs through 2032.
 
W

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It was a short article on "Iowa Wire" and had more fan reactions than the actual writing by the columnist. I just typed in Ben's first and last name in yahoo and the story popped up.
 
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AndreTheHawk

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Franisdaman said:
* I think we found the perfect coach for IOWA and I think you have to pay him the current market rate.

* If we would have had enough money for a center last year, we might have gone further than the Elite 8.

We needed a center vs Illinois, that's for sure.

With 7:27 to go and a Final Four berth on the line, IOWA was leading Illinois 51-50. Unfortunately, we got outscored 21-8 the rest of the way.
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JFC, the guy just came from Drake. He made $3.5 million dollars and he makes a nice Elite Eight run and now he's John Wooden? FFS people get a grip.

He's not going anywhere, whether you give him a raise or not. He's where he's always wanted to be IMO. If he's the type that chases the almighty dollar you say thanks for the memories and catch you later. I don't think that's who he is.
 
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TampaHawkFan

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AndreTheHawk said:
JFC, the guy just came from Drake. He made $3.5 million dollars and he makes a nice Elite Eight run and now he's John Wooden? FFS people get a grip.

He's not going anywhere, whether you give him a raise or not. He's where he's always wanted to be IMO. If he's the type that chases the almighty dollar you say thanks for the memories and catch you later. I don't think that's who he is.
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I forget exactly where that $3.35M ranked in the Big 10 but I thought it was bottom third in the conference. Ben deserves a raise, at least.

Maybe Ben is staying regardless, but I don't think taking anyone for granted is ever a great idea.
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

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Sett1997 said:
Agreed! More consistency? It's his first year and he took us to the elite 8. First time since 87 plus he has a proven track record of taking teams to championships. Carolina tried to steal him!
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UNC signed Mike Malone to a 6 year, $50M contract.

It will be interesting to see what IOWA ends up paying Ben over the next 6 years.
 
Franisdaman

Franisdaman

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AndreTheHawk said:
JFC, the guy just came from Drake. He made $3.5 million dollars and he makes a nice Elite Eight run and now he's John Wooden? FFS people get a grip.

He's not going anywhere, whether you give him a raise or not. He's where he's always wanted to be IMO. If he's the type that chases the almighty dollar you say thanks for the memories and catch you later. I don't think that's who he is.
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Who said he's John Wooden? And you talk about people needing to get a grip?

You say "he's not going anywhere." Well, hopefully that is true. But guess what? Hope is not a good strategy.

North Carolina wanted to interview Ben, and fortunately for IOWA, Ben declined that interview. Ben showed his loyalty and commitment and now Beth is showing her loyalty & commitment to both Ben & to IOWA men's basketball. IOWA fans should be ecstatic! Yet, here you are, clearly not very ecstatic....LOL
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

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Sett1997 said:
Throw the money at Ben! We were a step away from the FINAL FREAKING FOUR in his first year!! Most exciting thing I've witnessed since the 80's with Iowa BB! None of us were thinking elite 8. Lol
It was CRAZY!
We were hoping to win the first round!
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Hell, I was just hoping to make the field of 68. :)
 
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Franisdaman

Franisdaman

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TampaHawkFan said:
I forget exactly where that $3.35M ranked in the Big 10 but I thought it was bottom third in the conference. Ben deserves a raise, at least.

Maybe Ben is staying regardless, but I don't think taking anyone for granted is ever a great idea.
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Ben was making less than Rhoades, the Penn State head coach.

As of April 8, 2026:

1. Izzo ($7.2M)
2. Underwood ($5.4M)
3. Painter ($5.0M)
4. Williams ($4.9M)
5. Cronin ($4.5M)
6. Hoiberg ($4.4M)
7. DeVries ($4.3M)
8. Rhoades ($4.2M)
9. Pikiell ($4.1M)
10. Altman ($4.0M)
11. Gard ($3.9M)
12. Collins ($3.8M)
13. May ($3.7M)
14. McCollum ($3.4M)
15. Sprinkle ($3.3M)
16. Medved ($3.1M)
17. Diebler ($2.5M)

* Musselman at USC -- not listed.

sportsdata.usatoday.com

Men's Basketball Head Coach Salaries - USA TODAY

Ever wondered who the highest paid coach in men's basketball is? Find out today with USA TODAY's complete salary data.
sportsdata.usatoday.com
 
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