It feels weird. For more than a decade, the sideline at Carver-Hawkeye Arena was defined by one face, one temper, and one specific style of fast-break basketball. Fran McCaffery was the fixture. But seasons change, and right now, the Iowa basketball head coach conversation isn't about the past—it’s about a massive, high-stakes shift in identity.
Honestly, the transition happened faster than most people expected.
The New Face of the Men’s Program: Ben McCollum
When Ben McCollum was named the 23rd head coach in program history back in March 2025, the reaction was a mix of "finally" and "who?" If you follow Division II ball, you knew he was a god. Four national titles at Northwest Missouri State doesn't happen by accident. If you only watch the Big Ten, you probably just saw a guy coming off a single (albeit successful) year at Drake.
But look at the results. As of January 2026, McCollum has the Hawkeyes sitting at a 12-4 record. They aren't just winning; they’re playing a brand of "smothering defense" that quite frankly didn't exist in Iowa City for a long time.
McCollum didn't come alone. He brought his star guard, Bennett Stirtz, from Drake. Stirtz is essentially the engine of this team. People kept saying a D-II architect couldn't build a Big Ten powerhouse, but then Iowa went out and beat UCLA at home. You should’ve seen the arena. McCollum has started this post-game tradition where he high-fives fans courtside. It’s a small thing, but it’s making the program feel reachable again.
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Why the McCollum Hire Was a Risk
- The Jump: Going from Maryville, Missouri, to the Big Ten is like switching from a Cessna to a Boeing 747 mid-flight.
- The Style: He prefers a meticulous, slower-paced offense. That's the polar opposite of the "track meet" style Iowa fans got used to under Fran.
- Recruiting: Could a guy who spent 15 years in D-II land the 4-star and 5-star talent needed to survive in 2026?
Apparently, the answer is yes. He already inked Ethan Harris, a 6-foot-9 four-star recruit for the 2026 class. Harris chose Iowa over Gonzaga and Washington. That’s not a "developmental" mid-major win; that’s a statement.
Jan Jensen and the Post-Caitlin Reality
You can't talk about the Iowa basketball head coach without talking about the women's side of the hall. Jan Jensen is currently in her second season at the helm, and the pressure on her is arguably higher than it is on McCollum.
Why? Because she had to follow Lisa Bluder. And she had to exist in the shadow of the Caitlin Clark era.
Jensen isn't a "new" face—she’s been in Iowa City for 26 seasons. But being the "P. Sue Beckwith, MD, Head Women's Basketball Coach" is a different beast than being an assistant. Right now, her Hawkeyes are 14-2 and 5-0 in the Big Ten. They are one of only two undefeated teams in conference play alongside UCLA.
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What most people get wrong about Jensen is thinking she’s just a "recruiter." Yeah, she landed Caitlin Clark. But watching her navigate this 2025-26 season with nine freshmen and sophomores? That’s pure coaching. She’s leaning on players like Hannah Stuelke and Addison O'Grady, but it's the development of the "youngsters" like Ava Heiden and Chit-Chat Wright that has Iowa ranked No. 11 in the country right now.
The Standard is the Standard
Jensen is blunt about the challenge. She recently told reporters that her biggest hurdle is reminding a roster full of kids who weren't on those back-to-back National Title teams what the standard actually is. They just snuck past Indiana 56-53 in Bloomington. It wasn't pretty. It was a "grit" game. But those are the games that prove Jensen isn't just a placeholder; she's the architect of the next era.
What to Watch Next
The schedule is about to get brutal for both programs.
For McCollum and the men, January is a gauntlet: No. 20 Illinois and No. 5 Purdue are looming. We’re going to find out very quickly if that 12-4 record is "legit" or if the Big Ten’s physical play will wear down McCollum's shorter rotation. He’s already expressed a desire to schedule even tougher non-conference games in the future. He wants the smoke.
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On the women's side, mark February 1st on your calendar. That’s when Jensen takes the Hawkeyes to Los Angeles to play UCLA. It might be for the top spot in the Big Ten.
If you’re looking to truly understand the current state of Iowa basketball, stop looking for the ghosts of the previous coaches. McCollum is building a defensive identity that emphasizes "meticulous" possessions. Jensen is managing a massive youth movement while keeping a Top-15 ranking.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Defense: Keep an eye on Iowa's "points against" under McCollum compared to the last five years; the drop-off is the story.
- Recruiting Trail: Watch for 5-star recruit Addison Bjorn's decision. If Jensen lands her, the "post-Caitlin" rebuild is officially ahead of schedule.
- Attendance: If you're heading to Carver, get there early. The new student seating arrangement has actually changed the noise levels significantly this season.
The era of the "Iowa basketball head coach" being a singular, long-term face is over for now. We have two leaders in very different stages of a rebuild, but both are currently silencing the doubters.