Current:Home > ContactDarian DeVries named men’s basketball coach at West Virginia after 6 seasons at Drake -GrowthSphere Strategies
Darian DeVries named men’s basketball coach at West Virginia after 6 seasons at Drake
View
Date:2025-04-22 04:33:05
West Virginia tapped Drake men’s basketball coach Darian DeVries on Sunday to move the Mountaineers past one of the ugliest years in school history.
DeVries signed a five-year contract, athletic director Wren Baker said. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. DeVries’ hiring came three days after Drake bowed out of the NCAA Tournament with a first-round loss to Washington State.
“Coach DeVries is a phenomenal basketball coach and an even better person and possesses all the qualities we desired in the next leader of our men’s basketball program,” Baker said. “His teams play hard and smart and are efficient on both ends of the floor. He has proven to be a strong recruiter and developer of players but even more importantly, a leader with integrity who develops character in the young men he coaches.”
The 48-year-old DeVries is a two-time Missouri Valley Conference coach of the year. He compiled a 150-55 record in six seasons and took Drake to the NCAA Tournament three times. Drake won at least 25 games in four straight seasons. The Bulldogs tied a school record for wins this season, finishing 28-7.
Drake’s 30-1 home record over the past two seasons tied FAU for the best in Division I.
DeVries replaces interim Josh Eilert, who took over after the messy exit of Hall of Fame coach Bob Huggins last summer. With a multitude of player defections, injuries and other distractions, the Mountaineers went 9-23 and finished last in the Big 12. It was a school record for losses and the fewest wins since the 2001-02 team went 8-20 in Gale Catlett’s final season.
“I’m honored to lead this historic program which has an outstanding tradition and passionate fanbase,” DeVries said in the statement. “Gamedays in the WVU Coliseum are legendary, and the incredible support for Mountaineer basketball is known nationwide. I look forward to building on the success of the program.”
Baker wanted a coach with a track record of success in D-I. West Virginia, which last reached the Final Four in 2010, hasn’t had much of that lately with three last-place finishes in the Big 12 since 2019 and two NCAA Tournament berths in the last six seasons. West Virginia has never won a Big 12 regular season or tournament title.
Baker also wanted his new coach to have an appreciation for both the university and the culture and history of a rural state that has no pro sports franchises.
“We have heard so many great things about West Virginia and its people, and we can’t wait to get there,” DeVries said.
DeVries’ son, Tucker, a junior, was Drake’s top scorer this season at 21.6 points per game. DeVries’ brother is former Detroit Lions defensive end Jared DeVries.
Before coming to Drake, DeVries was an assistant at Creighton for 17 years. The Bluejays made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances in that span.
DeVries played for four seasons as a guard under Eldon Miller at Northern Iowa.
___
AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness
veryGood! (73783)
Related
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Cicada-geddon insect invasion will be biggest bug emergence in centuries
- Warren Sapp's pay at Colorado revealed as graduate assistant football coach
- Nick Cannon, Abby De La Rosa announce son Zillion, 2, diagnosed with autism
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- The Global Mining Boom Puts African Great Apes at Greater Risk Than Previously Known
- Man who used megaphone to lead attack on Capitol police sentenced to more than 7 years in prison
- How the 2024 solar eclipse could impact the end of Ramadan and start of Eid
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Man cuffed but not charged after Chiefs Super Bowl Rally shooting sues 3 more lawmakers over posts
Ranking
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- AT&T says personal information, data from 73 million accounts leaked onto dark web
- 13 inmates, guards and others sentenced for drug trafficking at Louisiana’s maximum-security prison
- Cute or cruel? Team's 'Ozempig' mascot draws divided response as St. Paul Saints double down
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Did Texas 'go too far' with SB4 border bill? Appeals court weighs case; injunction holds.
- Athletics announce plans to play the next 3 seasons in minor league park near Sacramento
- Patrick Mahomes' Wife Brittany Mahomes Models Tiny Red Bikini in New Photo
Recommendation
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
'We do not know how to cope': Earth spinning slower may prompt negative leap second
Man wins $2.6 million after receiving a scratch-off ticket from his father
Snowstorm slams Northeast, Great Lakes with mass power outages and travel mayhem
Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
Hannah Waddingham Details Trauma From Filming Game of Thrones Waterboarding Scene
Why Heather Rae El Moussa Says Filming Selling Sunset Was “Very Toxic”
As more storms approach California, stretch of scenic Highway 1 that collapsed is closed again