The Fran McCaffery era at Iowa has concluded. The longtime coach was dismissed following a disappointing 106-94 loss to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament, resulting in the Hawkeyes missing the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year.

McCaffery leaves behind a tenure that included seven NCAA Tournament appearances, but he never made it past the second weekend. Iowa must now seek a replacement for the first time since 2010, potentially eyeing candidates from the mid-major ranks.

Candidates Being Considered

Ben McCollum - Currently coaching at Drake, McCollum has led a successful program, previously steering Northwest Missouri State to four NCAA Division II championships. His connections to Iowa and expertise make him a top prospect.

Darian DeVries - Formerly at Drake, he has made significant contributions to West Virginia’s program. His credentials and local ties also place him as a strong candidate.

Chris Jans - The Mississippi State head coach has roots in Iowa and continues to build a robust program at Mississippi State.

Niko Medved - This Colorado State coach has been successful since arriving at the program and could potentially be swayed by a return to his home state.

Bryce Drew - Following several successful seasons at Grand Canyon, Drew’s profile has been on the rise, and he is expected to consider offers from larger programs.

Iowa’s athletic director, Beth Goetz, will need to act swiftly as the search for the next coach commences.