Fri Mar 07 17:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Indiana Hoosiers Should Prioritize Winning, Not Name Recognition, in Next Basketball Coach Search
**BLOOMINGTON, IN –** Following the success of their football program’s recent coaching hire, Indiana University’s athletic director Scott Dolson should prioritize a proven winner for the upcoming men’s basketball coaching vacancy, according to columnist Blake Toppmeyer. Rather than focusing on a big-name coach, Dolson should emulate his successful strategy with football coach Curt Cignetti, who despite lacking a Power Five background, has delivered impressive results.
Toppmeyer suggests Ben McCollum, head coach of Drake University, as a strong candidate. McCollum boasts an impressive winning percentage across multiple divisions, including four Division II national championships. In his first season at Drake, he led a team comprised mostly of transfers from Division II to a 27-3 record and a No. 1 seed in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament. This mirrors Cignetti’s success at Indiana, where he utilized players he previously coached.
While acknowledging that McCollum isn’t a guaranteed success, Toppmeyer argues that focusing solely on “big fish” coaches overlooks proven winners. He points to past successful hires like Billy Donovan at Florida and Nate Oats at Alabama, who weren’t established power-conference coaches when hired. The article emphasizes that Indiana’s strong program history, financial resources, and passionate fanbase make it an attractive destination, capable of attracting a top coach even without relying on established names. The author cautions against the allure of high-profile coaches who may not be willing to leave their current positions, suggesting that focusing on a proven winner like McCollum presents a smarter, more effective approach. He concludes that Indiana should act swiftly to secure McCollum before another program does.
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