Drake Bulldogs Hire Eric Henderson as New Men’s Basketball Coach

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Drake Bulldogs have announced the hiring of Eric Henderson as their new men’s basketball coach following the recent departure of Ben McCollum. Henderson, who previously led South Dakota State University, expressed enthusiasm about joining the Bulldogs. “My family and I are elated to join Drake Nation,” he stated. “The excitement for Drake basketball is at an all-time high, and I’m looking forward to building relationships and representing such a committed university and fan base. Go Bulldogs!”

Henderson, 46, fills the position of third head coach for the Bulldogs in three years. This change comes after a string of successful seasons that saw prior coach Darian DeVries lead the team to two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2023 and 2024 before departing for West Virginia last offseason. Ben McCollum, who took over after DeVries, had an impressive season, guiding the Bulldogs to a remarkable 31-3 record before leaving for the Iowa coaching position.

In his six seasons at the helm of the Jackrabbits, Henderson compiled a 129-60 record and claimed four Summit League regular season titles, as well as two Summit League tournament titles, resulting in two NCAA Tournament auto-bids. He was recognized as the Summit League’s Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2022. He now aims to lead Drake back to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in seven years.

Sources close to the situation have indicated that while an official offer has not yet been confirmed, Henderson is considered a top candidate for the role. His impressive track record makes him a strong prospect for continuing the Bulldogs’ success. The team faced a tough exit in the NCAA Tournament’s second round against Texas Tech and is looking to rebuild with Henderson at the helm.

Henderson previously served as an assistant coach at South Dakota State, where he rose to associate head coach before being promoted to head coach in March 2019. Under his leadership, the Jackrabbits showed consistent improvement and competitiveness within their conference.

As the Bulldogs prepare for the upcoming season, the organization and fans eagerly anticipate Henderson’s leadership and strategic direction to elevate the program further.