DES MOINES, Iowa — Just days after the Drake men's basketball team lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the team was dealt another blow: Head Coach Darian DeVries will leave the program to serve as head men's basketball coach at West Virginia University.
"Coach DeVries is a phenomenal basketball coach and an even better person and possesses all the qualities we desired in the next leader of our men's basketball program," said Wren Baker, WVU Director of Athletics. "His teams play hard and smart and are efficient on both ends of the floor."
DeVries agreed to a five-year deal with WVU, according to a press release.
"I'm honored to lead this historic program which has an outstanding tradition and passionate fanbase," DeVries said in a statement. "Gamedays in the WVU Coliseum are legendary, and the incredible support for Mountaineer Basketball is known nationwide. I look forward to building on the success of the program."
DeVries has coached the Bulldogs since 2018, guiding the team to 150 wins across six seasons.
During his tenure, DeVries led the Bulldogs to back-to-back MVC Tournament wins in 2023 and 2024, as well as three NCAA Tournament appearances in four seasons.
“It is easy to say that Darian DeVries has left our men’s basketball program and our athletics department in incredible positions thanks to his six years at Drake," said Drake's Director of Athletics Brian Hardin in a statement. Darian led the Drake men’s basketball team to new heights on the court while establishing an elite culture off the court."
Prior to his time at Drake, DeVries served as an assistant coach at Creighton University for 17 years.
It's still unclear whether or not DeVries' son, Tucker, will remain at Drake or transfer to another program.