Beth Goetz welcomes Ben McCollum to Iowa

Beth Goetz knew that Ben McCollum was the perfect match for the Iowa head coaching job. She was sold on him early and waited patiently for McCollum to becomes available for hire, which he did on Sunday. The Iowa athletic director spoke to the media about why she picked McCollum over other options.

BETH GOETZ: Well, thank you, President Wilson. We are so grateful for your continued leadership, support of our students, and your engagement in this process that ensured we find the right leader for the Hawkeyes.

I also have to share my gratitude with the team that worked alongside me in this process. They are absolutely the best.

It’s truly a special day for Hawkeye men’s basketball and the start of a new opportunity to build on tradition, inspire success and ignite the passion of the loyal black and gold.

First, let me thank you all for being here today to help me welcome Head Coach Ben McCollum.

I want to first recognize Ben’s family, his wife, Michelle; their kids, Peyton, Tate and Grace, and his mom Mary. We are thrilled to have your family be a part of ours.

As quickly as I became convinced that Ben was the guy we were looking for — I think it was the time with the family that sealed the deal — your team at home is certainly as wonderful as your team in the locker room.

A shout out to our amazing students who are here in a show of support and my gratitude to our alums, fans and generous supporters whose passion allows us to build programs that inspire, excite and make you proud to be a Hawkeye.

Ben has an exceptional mind for the game, a relentless competitiveness, a commitment for truly developing young men on the court and off.

I first spoke with Ben almost four years ago in another search at a different moment in his journey and mine, but the same things being shared about him then, about his ability to build culture and success. Before his name was known outside smaller coaching circles, people were taking notice of what he was able to achieve on the court and the way he was going about it. It was impressive then, and it’s well known now.

We can talk about the numbers, and who else, regardless of sport, holds a winning percentage of over 80 percent, his 12 straight conference titles, the four national championships, the 31-4 season with a program in transition, the list of household names from successful coaches like Shaka Smart, Buzz Williams to Grant McCasland that call him for advice to help identify gaps in their system, an efficient offense that empowers athletes to be creative and looking for opportunity coupled with a suffocating defense.

Ben is an outstanding coach and has an innate ability to identify and develop talent. He sets high standards for his teams and tailors his system to meet the strengths of his athletes.

Ben was born right here in Iowa City, and both he and Michelle called Storm Lake home. Ben idolized Chris Street, attended Hawkeye basketball camps, and he can list almost every Hawkeye starter for the last three-plus decades. And he even accompanied his mom, as I understand it, to law school right here on our own campus.

Ben has roots here, and to be sure, that’s a special part of this story, but not why I thought Ben was the perfect leader for this program.

Coach McCollum is a proven winner, and a teacher of the game. He creates teams that are defined by their hard work and culture.

In the short time I have gotten to know him, he is a person of character, a man with values that align with those we hold so close. He is committed to developing his athletes to reach peak performance on the court, but more importantly, prepare them for a lifelong success outside of sport.

I am confident that under Ben’s leadership, he will add to the legacy of teams and athletes that imbed themselves in the memories of this loyal Hawkeye fanbase.

Stay in the moment, Coach, enjoy the process and know that the Hawkeye Nation is going to be behind you the whole way.

Please join me in officially welcoming Coach Ben McCollum. (Applause).