5 candidates to replace Fran McCaffrey as Iowa head coach
Iowa is moving on from men's basketball coach Fran McCaffrey, according to multiple reports.
ESPN's Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello were first on the news that the Hawkeyes are firing McCaffrey, who's contract was set to run through 2028. Per the USA Today salary database, Iowa will pay McCaffrey a $4.2 million buyout to move on from the coach after 15 seasons.
McCaffrey is the school's all-time wins leader with 297 victories but went 17-16 overall this season and 7-13 in the Big Ten, missing the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive year. The Hawkeyes haven't advanced further than the second round of the NCAA tournament during McCaffrey's tenure, reaching the Round of 32 on four occasions.
A Big Ten school with all the resources of Iowa is sure to attract some big names, but there are a number of notable programs also looking for their next head coach, including Virginia and Indiana.
So who might the Hawkeyes target? These five coaches are likely to hear their names brought up.
Darian DeVries, West Virginia head coach
The Iowa native had tremendous success as the head coach of Drake from 2018-2024 following nearly two decades as an assistant at Creighton. He took the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament in three out of his last four years at Drake and was poached by West Virginia after the 2024 season. DeVries currently has the Mountaineers on the bubble for the big dance.
Ben McCollum, Drake head coach
Another Iowa native — from Iowa City, no less — McCollum's stock has skyrocketed after taking over Drake from DeVries this year. After building Northwest Missouri State into a Division II powerhouse, McCollum seamlessly transitioned to Division I. His Drake team went 30-3, winning the Missouri Valley Conference and securing a spot in the NCAA tournament.
Ryan Odom, VCU head coach
The 50-year-old is another hot name to watch this offseason — especially with Virginia's rumored interest — after leading VCU to 25-6 record (so far) in his second year. But he's perhaps best known for leading the UMBC upset over UVA in the first round of the 2018 NCAA tournament, becoming the first No. 16 seed to defeat a No. 1. With an $8.2 million buyout at VCU, he'll have plenty of teams come calling.
Will Wade, McNeese State head coach
It seems like only a matter of time before Wade is back coaching at a Power 4 school. In two years with McNeese, he's guided the Cowboys to a 49-8 record and two NCAA tournament berths. Would Iowa be willing to take a swing on him before someone else does?
Dennis Gates, Missouri head coach
Gates has a relatively large buyout ($16.6 million), but tremendous upside. The Chicago native has roots in the most fertile Big Ten recruiting grounds and is poised to send his Missouri Tigers back to the NCAA tournament for the second time in three years. While Gates hasn't been a Power 4 head coach for long, he does have plenty of experience as an assistant with Marquette, Florida State, California, Nevada and Northern Illinois.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 5 candidates to replace Fran McCaffrey as Iowa head coach
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