Indiana University has hired Darian DeVries as the 31st head coach of their men’s basketball program, after Mike Woodson stepped down as Indiana’s coach. DeVries brings 24 years of Division 1 coaching experience, including very successful seasons with Drake University, and most recently, West Virginia.
At Drake, DeVries transformed a bad program into a consistent winner in the Missouri Valley conference. Prior to his arrival, the Bulldogs had only one March Madness appearance in 47 years and five 20-win seasons in their 122 year history. Under DeVries’ leadership from 2018-2024, Drake achieved six consecutive 20-win seasons and made the tournament three times. His career at Drake culminated in back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championships in 2023 and 2024.
In 2024, DeVries took the West Virginia job, a team that went 9-23 the previous year and were last in the Big 12. Despite the challenges, he led a turnaround of the program, leading the Mountaineers to a 19-13 record, including victories over Gonzaga, Kansas, and Iowa State. This success came despite significant injuries, including a season-ending injury to his son and star-player, Tucker DeVries.
Indiana Athletic Director, Scott Dolson, expressed confidence in DeVries’ ability to build a championship culture, citing his record at Drake and West Virginia. DeVries acknowledged the storied tradition of Indiana basketball and emphasized the importance of recruiting Indiana kids, who Mike Woodson struggled with.
DeVries’ hiring has generated optimism among Hoosier fans, like myself, who hope his leadership will restore Indiana’s prominence in college basketball. His ability to build programs from the ground up and achieve consistent success suggests a promising future for the Hoosiers with him at the helm.