Ben McCollum Appeared on Pat McAfee Show
The college coach discussed his relationship with Kirk Ferentz while visiting the University of Iowa campus.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Wrestling
Ben McCollum made an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on October 2, 2026. During the segment, which was held on the University of Iowa campus, he discussed his relationship with Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz.
Why it matters
McCollum shared personal insight into his professional rapport with Kirk Ferentz, highlighting a text message exchange that occurred during his NCAA Tournament interview process. The appearance provided a rare look at the mentorship between the two coaches.
McCollum stated his prediction for the upcoming weekend game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Ohio State. This follows his reported interactions with Ferentz during the NCAA Tournament interview process.
The players
Ben McCollum
He is a college basketball coach who recently participated in NCAA Tournament interview processes.
Pat McAfee
He is a former professional athlete and media personality who hosts a popular sports talk show.
Kirk Ferentz
He is the long-tenured head football coach at the University of Iowa.
The details
During the broadcast from the University of Iowa campus, McCollum expressed deep respect for Kirk Ferentz. He also shared his expectation that the Iowa Hawkeyes will secure a victory against Ohio State in their upcoming matchup.
Timeline
Ben McCollum appeared on the Pat McAfee Show on October 2, 2026.
The Iowa Hawkeyes play Ohio State during the upcoming weekend.
Season Trajectory
This public interaction highlights the growing intersection of high-level coaching networking and sports media engagement during critical season moments. It underscores how personal endorsements from veteran leaders like Ferentz continue to shape the narrative around rising coaching stars.
McCollum officially picked the Iowa Hawkeyes to win their upcoming game against Ohio State, providing a concrete prediction for fans. His positive comments regarding Kirk Ferentz signal continued institutional alignment ahead of the weekend contest.
The takeaway
Maintaining professional relationships with veteran coaches remains a vital component of career advancement in the college ranks. Fans can look for these public shows of support to gauge the current sentiment surrounding the program.
Further reading
For more on local sports culture, visit the Wrestling section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
