MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — It’s been exactly two weeks since West Virginia University hired Darian DeVries as the next head basketball coach of the Mountaineers. Since then, it’s been eerily quiet in Morgantown in terms of basketball news or updates.
Last week, West Virginia hired Nick Norton as the team’s assistant coach/director of player development for the Mountaineers, and Seth Wilson, Josiah Harris and Pat Suemnick entered the transfer portal, but other than that, there just hasn’t been many/any updates.
With that said, there has actually been a lot going on behind the scenes, and according to early reports, this is what we should expect with the Darian DeVries’ era; DeVries is working hard, but he keeps information “close to the vest” and we won’t hear much until it’s officially announced through the university.
Here’s what I know so far, though: DeVries is working on finishing up with the hiring his coaching staff. There are rumors that a member or two of the staff under Josh Eilert could be considered. I’ve heard that Jordan McCabe‘s name has been tossed around as a possibility to remain on staff, and that would certainly be an excellent decision if it’s made. McCabe is not only a former West Virginia player, he’s also an up-and-coming coach and is connected to several talented recruits throughout the country. The other coach who has been mentioned as a potential assistant coach hire is current Akron assistant coach Rob Fulford.
Fulford founded Huntington Prep. in Huntington, W.Va. In five seasons as head coach there, Fulford recorded a 139-18 overall record that included three consecutive seasons ranked inside the nation’s Top 10. Fulford is very connected in the recruiting circles and would be an outstanding addition to the staff.
In addition to putting a coach staff together, DeVries will also welcome key players who are currently in the transfer portal for visits to Morgantown this weekend. Atin Wright, Toby Okani and Conor Enright are all scheduled to be on campus on Friday.
Wright, a junior guard from Hawthrone, California, averaged 14.1 points for DeVries’ Drake team last season. He’s had interest from several programs since entering the transfer portal, but it’s likely that he will follow his former head coach and commit to play for the Mountaineers after visiting Morgantown this weekend.
In addition to Wright, Conor Enright will join his former teammate on a visit in West Virginia this weekend. Enright, a 6’0 sophomore, averaged 6.9 points, 3.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game for Drake this past season, and he was Tucker DeVries’ roommate this past season. Enright is a major energy guy off the bench and shot 43.9% from three point range last year, so he could be a very good reserve in the Big 12 Conference.
Toby Okani, a 6’8 senior from Orange, New Jersey, averaged 11.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game at the University of Illinois Chicago last season. Okani, who will also be in town this weekend, has already visited St. Bonaventure earlier this month and is expected to take a visit to LSU next week.
Although it has been a slow start to the Darian DeVries Era at WVU, things are about to pick up in a big way this weekend. Expect at least one assistant coach to be hired and a couple of players to commit as soon as this weekend.
