Darian DeVries reportedly not a candidate for Iowa's head coach vacancy

After the Iowa Men's Basketball program cut ties with long-time Head Coach Fran McCaffery, rumors have been swirling about who would be the next head coach. A name that has been talked about frequently since the departure is West Virginia Head Coach Darian DeVries.

Fans and pundits alike have anticipated DeVries being a viable candidate to fill the vacancy. Recent reports suggest he is not a candidate to take over the position.

ESPN Senior Writer Pete Thamel set social media ablaze when he made the announcement on social media this afternoon.

DeVries is a coach who has quickly risen through the coaching ranks at Creighton, Drake, and now West Virginia. He is considered one of the top coaching candidates for vacancies nationwide. DeVries is still under contract at West Virginia and several factors are possible with this outcome.

Money, money, money

DeVries moved to Morgantown, WVA, in 2024 after six years at the helm of the Drake Bulldogs in Des Moines, Iowa. His contract is for five years and averages around three million dollars per year before incentives and performance bonuses.

If DeVries is hired elsewhere, the hiring entity would have to pay West Virginia 37.5 percent of his current salary.

If DeVries is hired on April 1 or later, the buyout is 4.66 million dollars, according to Chad Leistikow from the Des Moines Register. That figure would have increased to 5.9 million dollars if West Virginia had finished in the top six of the Big 12 Conference

Iowa is in no position to pay that kind of money and potentially why Beth Goetz is reportedly out on DeVries.

The impact of Fran McCaffery's buyout

In another money-related issue, the Hawkeyes could reportedly be out on DeVries due to the financial impacts of former head coach Fran McCaffery's contract buyout.

McCaffery's buyout is 4.26 million dollars, but it can be paid over three years. That equates to around 1.42 million dollars per year if Iowa decides to separate the payments.

This adds more financial strain to the already strained Iowa Men's Basketball program, and they would also have to pay a buyout for a new coach who is currently employed.

Heavy pursuit by Big Ten rival

After going 19-13 (10-10 Big 12), the West Virginia Mountaineers were a surprising snub by the NCAA Tournament committee. Immediately after, head coach Darian DeVries' name began to circulate around programs that need a head coach.

Iowa was an obvious choice due to DeVries' ties to Iowa as a native Iowan and former Drake University head coach. Now, a surprising team has emerged to land DeVries.

This information was released shortly before it was revealed that DeVries was not a candidate for Iowa's head coaching position.

The Indiana Hoosiers are searching for a new head coach after head coach Mike Woodson announced earlier this season that he would be retiring.

Their search has ramped up after the Hoosiers missed out on the NCAA Tournament and stated they would not pursue postseason opportunities.

In shocking news, Indiana has emerged as the favorite to land DeVries and steal him away from rival Iowa.

Regardless of the reasons, Darian DeVries is reportedly not a candidate for Iowa Men's Basketball head coach. It is still early in the Iowa hiring process, so be sure to follow Dear Old Gold for updates