Indiana University has officially named Darian DeVries as the new head coach for its men’s basketball team. This announcement came on Tuesday, marking a significant move for both the coach and the program.
DeVries arrives after one season at West Virginia, where he took over from interim coach Josh Eilert, who had succeeded Bob Huggins after his resignation in 2023. During his lone year with the Mountaineers, DeVries led the team to a 19-13 record, and they finished the Big 12 season with a 10-10 mark. Despite this effort, West Virginia did not earn a spot in the NCAA tournament.
In his statement, DeVries expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity, noting the storied history and strong fan support of Indiana basketball. He said, "As someone who grew up in the Midwest loving the game of basketball, I’ve always admired the IU Basketball program for its championship-level success." He aims to compete vigorously in both the Big Ten and the NCAA tournaments.
DeVries’ move comes at a financial cost, with a total buyout rumored to be around $6.15 million. This includes the buyout from his previous contract and additional expenses associated with his hiring. Before his West Virginia stint, DeVries honed his skills at Drake University for six seasons, where he achieved remarkable success, leading the Bulldogs to three NCAA tournament appearances in his final four years.
Drake consistently performed well under DeVries, winning the Missouri Valley regular-season championship in 2019 and the conference tournament championship in 2023 and 2024. In total, he accumulated an impressive 150 wins in 205 games at Drake, averaging at least 20 wins each season.
Athletic director Scott Dolson explained that the search for a new head coach focused on finding someone who could build a championship culture. Dolson emphasized that DeVries met and exceeded their criteria, bringing significant Division I coaching experience, including 15 appearances in the NCAA tournament.
DeVries will replace Mike Woodson, who announced his intention to step down after four seasons at Indiana. Woodson’s time included two consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, but the program has struggled in recent years, missing the tournament six times in the past eight years.
The Hoosiers are one of college basketball’s most successful programs, with five national championships. However, they have struggled to advance past the first weekend of the tournament since 2002. DeVries has a tall task ahead of him to restore the program to its former glory.
Interestingly, DeVries’ son, Tucker, has been a key player, earning Missouri Valley Player of the Year honors in both 2023 and 2024. He transferred to West Virginia but suffered an injury that sidelined him for most of the season. Indiana may apply for a medical redshirt for him, potentially allowing him to play an additional year.
The transition presented by DeVries offers a fresh start for Indiana basketball, and many fans are hopeful he can bring much-needed success back to the program. Only time will tell if his vision for building a competitive team will pan out in a challenging college basketball landscape. For more insights and updates on college basketball coaching changes, you can visit reliable sources like NCAA.
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