After 15-year Head Coach Fran McCaffery was dismissed last week, numerous names were thrown out as possible replacements. Near the top of the list was West Virginia Head Coach Darian DeVries. DeVries made a name for himself after coaching the Drake Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournament berths.
In his first season at the helm of the Mountaineers, DeVries had to overcome adversity. West Virginia had several players injured this past season, including DeVries' son and star player, Tucker DeVries.
Tucker DeVries played in just eight games before having season-ending upper body surgery.
Darian DeVries was a popular candidate for jobs nationwide after West Virginia finished with a 19-13 record, but was snubbed from the NCAA Tournament. DeVries made a decision Tuesday Night.
Welcome to Indiana, Coach DeVries! pic.twitter.com/Hy8y6q3MLd
— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) March 18, 2025
Indiana Men's Basketball released a welcome post to Coach DeVries on Tuesday Night.
The news is a knife in the heart of Iowa Hawkeyes fans. Iowa fans developed a shred of hope that DeVries would return to Iowa after rumors began swirling over the weekend that he was considering other head-coaching opportunities.
Immediately after long-time Head Coach Fran McCaffery was fired, DeVries' name jumped to the top of Iowa's most wanted list.
DeVries is from Aplington, Iowa, and played college basketball for the University of Northern Iowa Panthers in Cedar Falls, Iowa. DeVries joined the coaching ranks in 2001 after being named an assistant for Creighton Men's Basketball.
He got his first head coaching job with Drake University in 2018 and spent six seasons at the helm of the Bulldogs. He compiled 150 wins, one regular-season Missouri Valley Championship (2018), two conference tournament championships (2022-2023), and three NCAA Tournament appearances (2020, 2022-2023).
DeVries' decision to coach Indiana comes after West Virginia missed the NCAA Tournament. He snubbed Iowa's interest (or lack thereof) in favor of the Hoosiers. ESPN Senior Writer Pete Thamel reports DeVries' Indiana deal is for six years.
The Iowa Hawkeyes will return to the drawing board in their search for a new head coach after being snubbed by Darian DeVries.