Northwestern's Big Test: Coach Urges 'Smart Investing' & Team Unity in Championship Race
The 13th-year head coach had money on his mind following Northwestern’s season-ending loss to Purdue.
Mar 4, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Chris Collins and Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter talk before the game at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images Speaking to the media just moments after Northwestern’s season-ending loss to Purdue on Thursday, head coach Chris Collins outlined what he believes to be the key to returning his program to the NCAA tournament: a commitment from the administration to invest heavily in its men’s basketball. “It’s big business now,” said Collins.
“You’ve got to invest…it’s got to trickle down [from] the administration to the coaching staff. Everybody’s got to be in alignment in order to win because the programs that are winning, that’s what they’re doing. They’re aligned.
There’s a commitment to winning with resources, with investment. ” Collins cited the upcoming search for Northwestern new president as crucial piece for success. Henry Bienen is currently serving as the school’s interim president after Michael Schill stepped down from the role in September.
“Our new president that we bring in, is there going to be a commitment [to athletics]? ” Collins asked. “I’ve always felt if you’re at a high level academic school and you strive to have the best undergraduate experience and the best hospital and Kellogg School of Business and all these graduate programs and the deal and all these things, why wouldn’t we also strive to be great at athletics?
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