DeVries Named West Virginia Basketball Coach After Drake Success

Darian DeVries, the architect behind Drake’s remarkable resurgence on the college basketball scene, has been tapped as the new head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers, according to multiple reports. DeVries, who will turn 49 next month, is expected to sign a five-year contract with the Big 12 program, as they look to recapture the glory days of their storied basketball tradition.

DeVries’ appointment comes on the heels of a stellar six-year tenure at Drake, where he amassed an impressive 150-55 record, leading the Bulldogs to at least 20 wins in each of those seasons. His impact was most profoundly felt in the last four years, as he guided Drake to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including an at-large bid in 2021 and consecutive Missouri Valley Conference titles in 2023 and 2024.

The 2023-24 campaign was a testament to DeVries’ coaching prowess, as his team secured a No. 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament before bowing out to No. 7 Washington State in a closely contested 66-61 loss in the first round. Despite the early exit, DeVries’ success at Drake did not go unnoticed, with West Virginia ultimately deciding to entrust him with the task of revitalizing their basketball program.

DeVries inherits a West Virginia team that struggled mightily in the 2023-24 season, posting a dismal 9-23 record (4-14 in the Big 12) under interim coach Josh Eilert, who took over after the resignation of longtime head coach Bob Huggins following a DUI arrest. The Mountaineers’ faithful are hopeful that DeVries can replicate the magic he conjured at Drake and restore the program to its former glory.

In a potentially intriguing twist, reports suggest that DeVries’ son, Tucker DeVries, a standout at Drake who averaged 21.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game in the 2023-24 season, is set to transfer to West Virginia to play under his father’s tutelage. Such a move could provide a significant boost to the Mountaineers’ roster and aid in the team’s transition to DeVries’ coaching philosophy and system.

As DeVries prepares to embark on this new chapter in his coaching career, all eyes will be on him to see if he can translate his success at Drake to the more prominent stage of the Big 12 Conference. With his proven track record of transforming programs and developing talent, the Mountaineers faithful have reason to be optimistic about the future of their beloved basketball team under DeVries’ leadership.