MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — According to our sources close to the situation, West Virginia’s director of athletics, Wren Baker, has narrowed his search for the next head basketball head coach to few select candidates. The two that are at the top of the list, as we have told you for the last month, are Mark Byington, the head coach at James Madison, and Darian DeVries, the current head coach at Drake.
With that said, DeVries is likely the more desired head coach at this point and may have other top programs (like Michigan) pursuing him as well. However, if West Virginia can somehow manage to pull off landing DeVries, which is now a real possiblility with the latest intel that we’ve received, the Mountaineers will have one of the hottest young coaches in the nation leading their program next year.
DeVries, 48, has put together an impressive 149-54 record (.734 winning percentage) and a 78-33 record in the tough Missouri Valley Conference. DeVries, a native of Aplington, Iowa, has led Drake to 3 NCAA Tournament appearances, a Missouri Valley Conference Championship in 2023 and was named the Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2019 and 2021. In other words, DeVries has been incredibly successful in a short period of time, and has proven that he can quickly turn a program around.
However, what DeVries will likely bring with him is perhaps even more impressive! DeVries’ son, Tucker DeVries, is a current player at Drake and is the two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season while leading the Bulldogs to a 27-6 record this season. Tucker DeVries has two years of eligibility remaining and would almost certainly follow his father to Morgantown if he coaches the Mountaineers next season.
According to Sports Illustrated, “DeVries is known for his elite shooting ability but he’s much more than just an elite shooter. DeVries is a tough shot-maker who can make a variety of different shots off the dribble whether it’s a pull-up three from deep, a simple one-dribble pull-up jumper, a spin jumper or even a step-back jumper. DeVries possesses a ton of shot versatility and has a ton of tricks in his bag that allows him to score at a high level. He has enough passing and defensive ability to pair with his elite shooting ability.”
NBA Draft Room said the following of DeVries as a potential NBA player: “Tucker DeVries is a small school prospect who is one of the best outside shooters in college basketball. At 6-7 with a solid frame he’s got the size to play at the next level and he has a legit NBA skill with his sweet jumper and ability to score the rock from the perimeter. Is great off the catch and shoot and can shoot well off the dribble. DeVries sees the game at a high level, makes good decisions, moves well without the ball and plays a complete game. He’s not a great run/jump athlete but is a capable defender, gives good effort and plays with a lot of heart. Keep an eye on DeVries as a sleeper draft prospect.”
With everything considered, Darian DeVries might just be the ideal candidate to take over for Josh Eilert next season. He’s young, he’s had tremendous success and he could bring one of the best players in the nation along with him next year.
Check out highlights from DeVries below:
