Head Coach Darian DeVries is building his program from the ground up.
On March 24, 2024, WVU Director of Athletics Wren Baker introduced Darian DeVries as the university’s new head men’s basketball coach. DeVries, who led Drake University to six consecutive 20-win seasons, has a career .732 winning percentage as a head coach. He is known for his calm demeanor and for building teams that stay calm and focused in the heat of the game.
After a year of transition, DeVries represents a new era for WVU basketball. “Following a legendary coach like Bob Huggins that has been so successful, you don’t build that in a day,” he says. “I can’t be Coach Huggins. I need to be myself, but also embrace the success he’s had and the incredible alumni that have played here.”
As he builds his program, DeVries is taking a long view. “Being true to who you are and following that blueprint in all phases of the program is key,” he says. “Not taking any shortcuts. Putting a team and staff together with those qualities will help lead to long term success.”
The situation here for DeVries is unique. WVU is undergoing a complete roster rebuild, with only Ofri Naveh returning from last season. “When I took this job, we started with one player on the roster and no staff,” says DeVries. “We are happy with everybody we have, and we are looking forward to seeing how we grow and build.”
Another unique opportunity for DeVries is the chance to coach his son. Tucker DeVries transferred to WVU for his final season after a very successful career at Drake. Father and son are looking forward to the upcoming season together. “We have loved the time together, even though it has gone too fast,” says DeVries. “I am just getting started, and he is on the back end, but getting to experience this together is great.”
The team DeVries has built is showing a lot of positive signs, he says, but he knows that there is still a long way to go. “Over the summer, all of the guys have made some great strides,’” he says. “We are certainly a better team than we were in the summer. If we can continue to gel and be good at the little things, I think we can surprise some people and be a competitive team.”
The new coach didn’t know a lot about West Virginia before he was approached about this opportunity. The more he learned, the more it felt right, like a place where he and his family would be comfortable and succeed.
“This is a hard-working community, and that toughness is embodied in the way WVU plays,” he says. “When you think about representing this state, you certainly want to make that connection with our fans.”
DeVries and his family have enjoyed the move to West Virginia and appreciate the reception they’ve received. His wife and daughter have joined him after spending the summer in Iowa, and he is happy to have his family reunited in Morgantown.
A Family of Athletes
Originating in the small town of Aplington, Iowa, home to just over 1,000 people, the DeVries family has attained extraordinary athletic success. All five children were college athletes, and one had a long career in the National Football League.
New WVU head men’s basketball coach Darian DeVries is the oldest of five siblings. A 1998 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, he ranks 31st all-time in career scoring, with 1,084 points. He was a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Scholar–Athlete Team selection and two-time team captain.
Brother Jared was a two-time All-American on the University of Iowa football team and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 1999 NFL draft. He played defensive end for the Lions for 12 seasons.
Another brother, Dusty, also played football at the University of Iowa, while their youngest brother, Jay, played football at Wartburg College, also in Iowa. Their sister, Jodi, was an All-Missouri Valley Conference Second Team selection in volleyball at Northern Iowa.
Darian DeVries and his wife, Ashley, have a son, Tucker, and a daughter, Tatum. Tucker recently became the ninth-ever player to win the Larry Bird MVC Player of the Year trophy in back-to-back seasons, while playing at Drake University. He was also named an Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention selection in 2023–24. Tucker made the trip to Morgantown with his dad and is now a member of the Mountaineer basketball team.“
Growing up in a small town in Iowa, sports was the backbone of our family,” says DeVries. “Life revolved around that component for a long time. It was a very competitive home environment. That is a lot of where my coaching style comes from.”
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