by: Justin Walker
As West Virginia’s Director of Athletics, Wren Baker, searches for the next coach to lead WVU Men’s basketball, it appears two names have moved to the top of Baker’s list. Per a source, Ben McCollum (Drake) and Jerrod Calhoun (Utah State) appear to be the top two candidates to replace Darian DeVries, who left for Indiana.
Ben McCollum
McCollum’s existing relationship with Baker may make him the odds on favorite. The two worked together at Northwest Missouri State from 2011-2013. McCollum was the basketball coach for the Bearcats, while Baker was the AD. Per Baker, they have remained in touch since their time together in Maryville. McCollum won four national titles while at the Division II program over a 15 year span. McCollum’s overall career head coaching record is 426-94.
The 43 year old coach is in his first year with Drake and in his first year coaching Division I basketball. Drake is now 31-3 on the season and poised to be hard out in March Madness. They are scheduled to face Texas Tech in round two on Saturday. The Iowa native is also reportedly being sought after by the Iowa Hawkeyes, who recently fired Fran McCaffery after 15 years.
Jerrod Calhoun
Jerrod Calhoun is likely choice number two for Wren Baker, but may be the number one choice for some of the donors of WVU Athletics. Calhoun is a Bob Huggins disciple who spent five seasons with the Hall-of-Fame coach in Morgantown. Calhoun would likely have the support of Huggins and many of Huggins’ loyal supporters.
Calhoun left West Virginia in 2012 to become the head coach of Division II Fairmon State. In five seasons there, he led the Falcons to an overall record of 124-38 and was National Runner-Up in 2016-17.
After his Fairmont State run, the 43 year old coach took his first Division I job at Youngstown State. After a rough couple of seasons in Ohio, Calhoun finished his tenure strong with two straight 20+ win seasons. His overall record at YSU was 118-106.
After seven years at Youngstown, the Huggins protege landed his first major college job with Utah State prior to last season. Just like McCollum, he got his team into the NCAA Tournament in his first year. However, unlike McCollum, his Aggies lost their first round matchup to UCLA. He led USU to a 26-8 overall record on the season. His overall career head coaching record is 268-151. Calhoun has also reportedly interviewed for the Iowa job.
Hear more about McCollum and Calhoun, along with other potential candidates, in a recent episode of Hoops from the Hills.
