So the 6 year contract he already had, and the $2.5 million + raise he got at that time wasn't a "commitment" from Iowa?
Guess not for the board billionaires!
Iowa is working on a contract extension for Ben McCollum
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
Guess not for the board billionaires!
I doubt Ben would have given up his dream job of a lifetime so quickly. Showing what he could do for at least 3 years doesn't seem too much to ask.
Thanks for posting.. This is about what I thought I saw. Yeah, people can shout from the rooftops about Ben making $3.5M - sounds like a lot to average Joes (speaking for myself, anyway) but this just goes to show that $3.5M isn't what it used to be.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.
Men's Basketball Head Coach Salaries - USA TODAY
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Maybe I overshot my guess of $5-6M, but get him up closer to $4.5M at least.
If you want to do this based on merit, Ben hasn't yet earned a salary of what guys like Painter, Underwood and Izzo are getting - but IMO having him up there with Williams, Hoiberg, Devries, etc. is perfectly reasonable. Those guys haven't accomplished anything that Ben hasn't.
Contract extension officially signed.
After leading the University of Iowa men’s basketball program to its first Elite Eight appearance in 39 years, head coach Ben McCollum has signed a contract extension through 2032, the announcement was made Monday by Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Beth Goetz.
“This extension reflects not only our recent success, but the strong alignment we have with Coach McCollum’s vision for Iowa basketball,” said Goetz. “The culture he and his staff have developed, the way they represent our institution, and the connection created with the Hawkeye community have been incredibly meaningful.
“I have tremendous confidence in the direction we are headed under Ben’s leadership. We are excited to continue that momentum and pursue even greater success together.”
During his first season in Iowa City, McCollum led the program to 24 victories and the team went on a magical NCAA Tournament run to captivate Hawkeye Nation.
Iowa defeated three higher seeded teams during March Madness, downing No. 8 Clemson, No. 1 Florida and No. 4 Nebraska en route to the program’s first Elite Eight appearance since 1987. The Round of 32 win over the defending National Champion Gators sent the Hawkeyes to their first Sweet 16 since 1999.
“I am incredibly thankful to President Wilson and Beth Goetz for their continued belief in what we are building,” said McCollum. “We have a strong foundation in place, and we have great momentum moving forward. We are eager to build on our success and elevate this program at the highest level.”
McCollum joined Dr. Tom Davis as the only first-year Hawkeye head coaches to win 20+ games, qualify for the NCAA Tournament and advance to the Elite Eight. The 24 victories were tied for the fifth-most in a single season in program history.
After following McCollum from Northwest Missouri State to Drake to Iowa, senior guard Bennett Stirtz ascension continued. Stirtz earned honorable mention All-America honors by The Associated Press and USBWA, was a NABC first-team All-Central District selection and a first-team All-Big Ten honoree by the league media.
Stirtz became the first Hawkeye to finish with 700+ points, 100+ assists and 50+ steals and he’s projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft in June.
In two seasons at the Division I level, McCollum has posted a 55-17 record (.764 winning percentage) with two NCAA Tournament berths and four NCAA Tournament victories.
In his 17-year coaching career, McCollum has a 450-108 record (.806).
After leading the University of Iowa men’s basketball program to its first Elite Eight appearance in 39 years, head coach Ben McCollum has signed a contract extension through 2032, the announcement was made Monday by Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Beth Goetz.
“This extension reflects not only our recent success, but the strong alignment we have with Coach McCollum’s vision for Iowa basketball,” said Goetz. “The culture he and his staff have developed, the way they represent our institution, and the connection created with the Hawkeye community have been incredibly meaningful.
“I have tremendous confidence in the direction we are headed under Ben’s leadership. We are excited to continue that momentum and pursue even greater success together.”
During his first season in Iowa City, McCollum led the program to 24 victories and the team went on a magical NCAA Tournament run to captivate Hawkeye Nation.
Iowa defeated three higher seeded teams during March Madness, downing No. 8 Clemson, No. 1 Florida and No. 4 Nebraska en route to the program’s first Elite Eight appearance since 1987. The Round of 32 win over the defending National Champion Gators sent the Hawkeyes to their first Sweet 16 since 1999.
“I am incredibly thankful to President Wilson and Beth Goetz for their continued belief in what we are building,” said McCollum. “We have a strong foundation in place, and we have great momentum moving forward. We are eager to build on our success and elevate this program at the highest level.”
McCollum joined Dr. Tom Davis as the only first-year Hawkeye head coaches to win 20+ games, qualify for the NCAA Tournament and advance to the Elite Eight. The 24 victories were tied for the fifth-most in a single season in program history.
After following McCollum from Northwest Missouri State to Drake to Iowa, senior guard Bennett Stirtz ascension continued. Stirtz earned honorable mention All-America honors by The Associated Press and USBWA, was a NABC first-team All-Central District selection and a first-team All-Big Ten honoree by the league media.
Stirtz became the first Hawkeye to finish with 700+ points, 100+ assists and 50+ steals and he’s projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft in June.
In two seasons at the Division I level, McCollum has posted a 55-17 record (.764 winning percentage) with two NCAA Tournament berths and four NCAA Tournament victories.
In his 17-year coaching career, McCollum has a 450-108 record (.806).
So the 6 year contract he already had, and the $2.5 million + raise he got at that time wasn't a "commitment" from Iowa?
Guess not for the board billionaires!
What's the current market rate? After all, North Carolina was willing to spend over $8M per year to land it's next head coach.
Most of us were happy that he declined to interview with North Carolina. Were you happy?
Iowa men's basketball coach Ben McCollum's 6-year contract extension guarantees him $4.5 million in year one through $5 million in year six along with various performance and academic bonuses.
If he's fired within the first 3 years, his payout is 80%. The final 3 years is 60%. Buyout starts at $5 million before April 1, 2027, then works down to $0 in final year.
If he's fired within the first 3 years, his payout is 80%. The final 3 years is 60%. Buyout starts at $5 million before April 1, 2027, then works down to $0 in final year.
OK, that gets Ben into the top third or so in the conference. It's not nuts but very very solid. I like it.
Yep. $4.5M plus a bonus for winning an @EvilMonkeyInTheCloset NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP seems very fair.
Salaries 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, Penn State ($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.
I watched an interview done after the I-club (I think that was it) meeting in Carrol. He is certainly a breath of fresh air! Humble and funny. They were talking money and he said it is a LOT of money. and 'You can only spend so much' or words to that effect. Mentioned his first contract for $25,000! ha ha
Oh, and normally they get around 500 guests. This year it was 600 and turned away 100-150.
Oh, and normally they get around 500 guests. This year it was 600 and turned away 100-150.
He answers every question and doesn't look pissed off when doing it, too. LOL
That would have sucked to show up and get turned away.