Why Ben McCollum remained with Iowa basketball despite blue-blood interest
· Yahoo Sports
ROSEMONT, Ill. — After Ben McCollum took Iowa basketball to its first Elite Eight since 1987, the University of North Carolina expressed interest in the Hawkeyes' head coach.
North Carolina, a blue-blood program and widely viewed as one of the top jobs in college basketball, was in the market for a new head coach after moving on from Hubert Davis.
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CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander reported that the Tar Heels were hoping to conduct an in-person interview with McCollum, but the Iowa coach turned down the offer.
McCollum was asked on Oct. 8 about his involvement in North Carolina's search.
"I don't have a lot to say about that one," McCollum said at Big Ten Media Days. "Like we've always said, we're pretty excited about the University of Iowa and what we can do. This really just fits who I am as a coach, where I can recruit the kids I want to recruit."
In May, McCollum signed a new contract with Iowa, giving him a pay increase and extending his deal through April 30, 2032.
McCollum, who was born in Iowa City and raised in Storm Lake, is entering his second season leading the Hawkeye program.
North Carolina eventually hired Michael Malone, a 24-year NBA coaching veteran who led Denver to the 2023 NBA title.
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This article originally appeared on Hawk Central: Why Ben McCollum remained with Iowa basketball despite blue-blood interest