New Drake basketball coach Ben McCollum hopes to take the program to the next level. After 15 years and four division-two national championships at Northwest Missouri State the Storm Lake native takes over a Bulldog program that enjoyed six straight seasons of 20-wins or more and three trips to the NCAA Tournament under former coach Darian DeVries.

McCollum hopes to build on the success enjoyed under DeVries.

McCollum interviewed for the Drake job six years ago when DeVries was hired.

McCollum feels the Drake job was the right fit for him and his family.

McCollum’s first chore is to rebuild the roster. More than a half dozen players from last year’s team are in the transfer portal.

McCollum on the challenge of moving to division one.

McCollum hopes to have his staff in place in about a week.