In Wichita, Kansas, the world of coaching is more intimate than many might suspect. Throughout the cycles of hirings and firings, solid friendships are built, and relationships are maintained as coaches make their way up and down the professional hierarchy. Occasionally, these paths intersect on grand stages that capture wide attention.
Such an occasion will arise on Saturday night when Grant McCasland’s third-seeded Texas Tech squad faces off against Ben McCollum’s team of Division II transfers from the 11th-seeded Drake. For these close friends, the contest represents an opportunity to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Playing against familiar faces is nothing new for the 48-year-old McCasland. As coach of the Red Raiders, he regularly competes in Big 12 games against Baylor, his alma mater, where he spent five years on the coaching staff led by the veteran Scott Drew. Additionally, they frequently face Kansas State, helmed by Jerome Tang, who was part of the Baylor staff in Waco, Texas, at the same time.
However, McCasland’s connection with the 43-year-old McCollum stretches back further, to the very beginnings of their coaching careers. In the early 2000s, shortly after McCasland landed his first proper job as an assistant at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, he encountered Jeff Linder, then an assistant at Emporia State in Kansas, who was recruiting from his roster. Interestingly, Linder is now an assistant on McCasland’s staff at Texas Tech.
Fast-forward a few years, and McCasland stepped into his first head coaching role at Midland, a junior college in Texas, inviting Linder to join his team. Together, they took Midland to the national tournament in their debut year. McCollum, meanwhile, succeeded Linder at Emporia State, marking his own first full-time coaching position.
The trio formed a close bond, united by their early careers and shared passion. Countless hours were devoted to strategizing and building a winning culture. They supported each other during challenging times and celebrated each victory. “We were young,” McCasland reminisced, “barely making money, and we were passionate about basketball and each other’s company.”
McCasland eventually advanced to a head coaching role at North Texas, eventually leading him to his current tenure at Texas Tech. McCollum found his groove as head coach at Northwest Missouri State, transforming the team into a powerhouse in Division II. Despite professional divergences, their personal bond strengthened over time.
Their families socialize during the offseason, offering support during rough patches and sharing leisure activities like trout fishing. McCasland recalls being proud of a North Texas offense when his friend and critic, McCollum, candidly remarked, after watching their film, that it was lackluster. “That’s the essence of our relationship,” McCasland reflected, having once tried to recruit McCollum to join him professionally. “I love Ben, but competing against him changes the dynamic.”
The prospect of including McCollum in his staff might be unrealistic now. In McCollum’s inaugural year leading Drake, and with significant contributions from four transfers from Northwest Missouri State, he has taken the school to an unprecedented 31 victories. They claimed both the Missouri Valley regular and postseason titles, ending a four-year losing streak in NCAA Tournament first rounds, and on Saturday, McCollum seeks to propel Drake to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1971.
Unsurprisingly, McCollum’s name is often associated with varied coaching vacancies, notably Iowa, given his Iowa City birthplace and upbringing in Storm Lake, Iowa. He also played at North Iowa Area Community College.
McCollum dismissed any job discussions this week, emphasizing his commitment to focusing on Drake’s current endeavors. The Bulldogs are preparing to compete against his long-time friend, McCasland, and the Red Raiders in the NCAA Tournament. “Ben and I will always be friends,” affirmed McCasland, “but when the game starts, our focus will shift.”
This stage offers both coaches an opportunity to further their basketball legacies while momentarily setting aside their friendship in pursuit of glory.
